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India asks its nationals to leave Niger

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when the country’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup. …reports Asian Lite News

Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory asking Indian nationals whose presence is not essential in Niger to leave the country as soon as possible, following the coup in the African nation.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing on Friday that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and also asked the people to reconsider their plans if they are travelling to Niamey.

“Government of India is closely monitoring ongoing developments in Niger. In light of the prevailing situation, Indian nationals whose presence is not essential are advised to leave the country as soon as possible. They may bear in mind that airspace is currently closed. When departing through a land border, utmost precautions may be taken to ensure safety and security. Those who may be planning travel to Niger in the coming days are also similarly advised to reconsider their travel plans until the situation normalizes,” said MEA.

“All those Indian nationals who have not registered with the Indian embassy in Niamey (Niger capital) are strongly advised to do so expeditiously. Indian nationals can reach emergency contact in the embassy of India in Niamey: +22799759975”, added MEA.

Responding to the question about the number of Indians stuck in Niger, Bagchi said, “About 250 Indians are there. MEA is requesting those who have not registered their names to the Indian embassy to register themselves. Indian Embassy in Niamey is in touch with the Indian communities and we have been told that they are safe.”

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when the country’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup. Following the military coup Abdourahamane Tiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard has declared himself the country’s leader.

The uncertainty has rattled residents in Niamey, the capital. Some people flocked to supermarkets to purchase staples like rice and cooking oil in bulk, while others attempted to flee. Employees of local bus companies said most lines out of the capital were fully booked, CNN reported.

At the busy Wadata market, east of the capital’s centre, many shoppers buying food and necessities Monday voiced apprehension about what might come.

Pro-junta demonstrators, meanwhile, gathered Sunday at a 30,000-seat stadium in Niamey to voice their support for the military government and their opposition to ECOWAS sanctions, CNN reported. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US backs ‘peaceful resolution’ in Niger

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US backs ‘peaceful resolution’ in Niger

Blinken’s statement came after ECOWAS ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Thursday for a peaceful solution to reverse Niger’s coup and called on the junta that seized power last month to ensure the safety and security of President Bazoum, his family, and detained members of the government.

“The United States joins the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger,” Blinken said in a statement released by the US State Department.

Blinken’s statement came after the West African bloc ECOWAS on Thursday ordered the activation of a standby force for possible use against the junta. ECOWAS said it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options including force were on the table.

He added that the US appreciates the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.”

“ECOWAS, an organization that brings together West African countries, is playing a key role in making clear the imperative of a return to constitutional order, and we very much support ECOWAS’ leadership and work on this,” he told a news conference alongside his Mexican counterpart.

At a summit in Abuja, the West African bloc supported a standby military force for Niger, whose military on July 26 toppled elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

Blinken said the United States and ECOWAS were united in demanding the safety of Bazoum, to whom he said he has spoken half a dozen times since the takeover.

“Like ECOWAS, the United States will hold the Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland accountable for the safety and security of President Bazoum, his family, and detained members of the government,” he said in the statement, referring to Niger’s military leaders.

Niger’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou recently said that Bazoum was being held with his wife and son without electricity or water.

The threat of an invasion, though not specific, raises tensions in and around Niger, a uranium producer that until the coup was an important ally of the West in the fight against Islamist insurgents devastating the Sahel region.

The junta, which seized power on July 26, had defied an Aug. 6 deadline to stand down set by ECOWAS, instead closing Niger’s airspace and vowing to defend the country against any foreign attack.

The bloc pledged to enforce sanctions, travel bans and asset freezes on those preventing the return to power of Bazoum.

ECOWAS orders activation of standby force

Meanwhile, West African leaders on Thursday ordered the “immediate activation” and the “deployment” of a regional standby force to restore constitutional order in the coup-hit Niger, CNN reported.

Leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held a meeting in Nigeria’s Abuja after the expiration of the one-week ultimatum they gave to Niger’s military junta. ECOWAS leaders called for a deployment “to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, said in a statement.

The statement stressed a “determination to keep all options on the table for the peaceful resolution of the crisis,” according to CNN. Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since July after Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard.

After the coup, ECOWAS announced sanctions and issued an ultimatum to Niger’s ruling military junta: stand down within a week or face a potential military intervention. The deadline on August 6 expired without any change in the political situation. ECOWAS leaders have said their preference is to find a diplomatic solution to the situation and would dispatch troops as a last resort.

The regional bloc will “uphold all measures and principles” agreed upon by the extraordinary summit held on Niger in July, according to CNN report. Enacting strong sanctions against Niger’s military junta were decided in the summit.

Omar Alieu Touray warned of consequences for member states who by their action directly or indirectly obstructed the peaceful resolution of the crisis, CNN reported. Mali and Burkina Faso, led by soldiers who seized power, have expressed solidarity with Niger’s junta.

The two West African nations said that any military intervention would be seen as a declaration of war. Meanwhile, Guinea has also expressed support for Niger.

Earlier this week, Niger’s coup leaders closed the country’s airspace after rejecting an ultimatum from West African states to reinstate Niger President Mohamed Bazoum or risk military intervention, Al Jazeera reported.

The move announced late on Sunday, came as tens of thousands of coup supporters gathered at a stadium in Niger’s capital, Niamey, to cheer on the generals who seized power – or the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).

Amadou Abdramane, a spokesman for the CNSP, cited the ECOWAS’ military intervention threat for the airspace closure, as per the Al Jazeera report. Abdramane said in a statement read out on national television, that there had been a pre-deployment of forces in two Central African countries in preparation for intervention. However, he did not share details.

ALSO READ: Blinken reiterates calls for release of Niger President Bazoum

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Blinken reiterates calls for release of Niger President Bazoum

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard…reports Asian Lite News

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken to Niger President Mohamed Bazoum and reiterated America’s calls for his release.

On his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) Blinken said that he spoke to Niger’s President to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis.

“Spoke to Nigerien President Bazoum to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis. The United States reiterates our call for the immediate release of him and his family,” he posted on the social media platform X.

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard.

The US had earlier also shown its concern towards the Niger situation. Niger junta is not ready for the diplomatic talks and rejected the proposals of the US, UN and regional organisations to resolve a problem brought on by a coup in the West African country, The New York Times reported.

After Niger rejected their proposals, the US warned the leaders of the junta in Niger for making it clear that there would be consequences if they didn’t return to the diplomatic path.

In a state briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday that Acting Secretary Victoria Nuland met with leaders of the junta in Niger, making it clear that there would be consequences if they didn’t return to the diplomatic path.

Miller also added that there are hundreds of millions of dollars of US assistance at stake in Niger.

Miller was asked after the acting Deputy Secretary Victoria Nuland’s meetings with the Junta Military members if there was any idea where things are going.

Replying to the question, Miller said, “Acting Secretary Nuland met yesterday with leaders of the junta and made clear that there was a diplomatic path forward for them if they would choose a return to constitutional order.”

“She also made clear that there would be consequences if they didn’t, that there are hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. assistance at stake,” Miller added.

Miller further informed that Nuland didn’t achieve any breakthroughs and it’s not at all clear that the Junta Military will choose the diplomatic path forward.

He also informed that Nuland also met with civil society leaders, leaders of NGOs while she was in Niger. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Biden to depart for Delhi on Sept 7 to attend G20 summit

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US diplomat holds tough talks with Niger Coup leaders to seek solution

Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland.(File Photo: State Dept.)

The US is required under law to cut foreign and military assistance to the Niger government if a formal coup designation is made…reports Asian Lite News

Acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland met Niger’s coup leaders to push for a solution to the current political crisis in the West African nation.

Addressing a teleconference on Tuesday, Nuland said that she met the self-proclaimed chief of defence of the July 26 coup Moussa Salaou Barmou in the capital city of Niamey along with three of the colonels supporting him for more than two hours for “extremely frank and at times quite difficult” conversations, Xinhua news agency reported.

Nuland’s visit came as an ultimatum for the junta to release and re-empower the now deposed and detained President Mohamed Bazoum expired on Sunday.

Following a crisis meeting held on August 4, military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional trading bloc which comprises 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana, announced that they had drawn up a detailed plan for the possible use of force if Bazoum was not reinstated by 11 p.m. on August 6.

In response to the bloc’s warning, a junta spokesman said that Niger’s armed forces were ready to defend the country.

The junta also indefinitely shut the country’s airspace, with the leaders showing no sign of willingness to cede power.

Nuland is the highest level US official to meet the coup leaders in person.

Her trip to Niamey was made at the request of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CNN reported.

Nuland told reporters on Monday that the US “kept open the door to continue talking” and urged Barmou and his allies “to hear our offer to try to work with them to solve this diplomatically and return to constitutional order.”

“I hope they will keep the door open to diplomacy. We made that proposal. Their ideas do not comport with the Constitution. And that would be difficult in terms of our relationship if that’s the path they take, but we gave them a number of options to keep talking and we hope they take us up on that,” she added.

Nuland also said that she was not granted a meeting with the self-proclaimed new leader of Niger, General Abdourahmane Tiani, “so we were left to have to depend on Mr. Barmou to make clear again what is at stake”, reports CNN.

Nuland said she was frank about what is at risk if they do not reverse course and that she explained “very clearly” the US’ legal responsibilities if the military takeover is formally declared a coup, telling them that “it is not our desire to go there, but they may push us to that point”.

The US is required under law to cut foreign and military assistance to the Niger government if a formal coup designation is made. 

On August 4, Blinken had announced the suspension of “certain foreign assistance programs” which he said were conditioned upon “democratic governance and respect for constitutional order”.

There are roughly 1,000 US troops currently stationed in Niger.

Barmou had previously worked with US special forces in Niger for many years.

Nuland added that her request to see detained President Bazoum was denied, saying: We’ve talked to him on the phone, but we haven’t seen him. We also asked for some gestures of health and welfare.

“He is in a very difficult situation under virtual house arrest along with his son and his wife. I hope over the coming period, the people responsible for the current situation will come back to those requests.”

ALSO READ-Niger closes airspace

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Niger closes airspace

As of early Monday morning, Niger’s coup leaders have showed no no sign of willingness to cede power…reports Asian Lite News

Niger’s military junta has indefinitely shut the country’s airspace until further notice after a regional bloc warned it could use force if President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated, the media reported on Monday.

According to flight tracking website Flightradar24, there were currently no aircraft in Niger’s skies, the BBC reported.

Following a crisis meeting on August 4, military chiefs of the Ecowas regional trading bloc which comprises 15 West African countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Ghana, announced that they had drawn up a detailed plan for the possible use of force if Bazoum was not reinstated by 11 p.m. on August 6.

“All the elements that will go into any eventual intervention have been worked out here, including the resources needed, the how and when we are going deploy the force,” the BBC quoted Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace and security, as saying in a statement.

“We want diplomacy to work, and we want this message clearly transmitted to them (Niger’s junta) that we are giving them every opportunity to reverse what they have done”.

But as of early Monday morning, Niger’s coup leaders have showed no no sign of willingness to cede power.

On Sunday thousands of their supporters rallied defiantly at a stadium in the country’s capital Niamey.

Bazoum was detained on July 26, and Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, commander of the presidential guard, later proclaimed himself the new leader.

In response to the bloc’s warning, a junta spokesman said that Niger’s armed forces were ready to defend the country.

The military takeover has been internationally condemned, including by former colonial power France, as well as the European Union, UN and the US.

Meanwhile, two of Niger’s neighbours — Burkina Faso and Mali — had earlier warned they would treat any outside military intervention in Niger as “a declaration of war” against them, reports the BBC.

Burkina Faso and Mali are both Ecowas members but have been suspended from the bloc since being ruled by military juntas.

ALSO READ: ECOWAS sets deadline for Niger coup leaders  

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ECOWAS sets deadline for Niger coup leaders  

A slew of punitive measures, including the closure of the land and air borders with Niger, were also announced by ECOWAS…reports Asian Lite News

Defense chiefs from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have said they have drawn up a plan for a potential military intervention in Niger. The regional bloc has given coup leaders in Niger until Sunday to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, German News Agency DW reported.

Earlier, ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, sought Bazoum’s release and reinstatement within a week on Sunday (July 30), according to CNN.

The group declared it would “take all necessary measures to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger,” including the use of force if the junta remained in power.

A slew of punitive measures, including the closure of the land and air borders with Niger, were also announced by ECOWAS.

The group declared that it will reject any sort of supposed resignation from Bazoum, whom they view as a hostage.

Earlier, it was stated that France and the European Union will support ECOWAS organisations in their decision to impose sanctions on the junta. The two had previously stopped providing money to Niger.

The military leaders of Niger may have found one possible ally in Chad, its eastern neighbour.

According to a source close to the Nigerien military, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno was in Niamey, the capital of Niger, and was seen as a key participant in the coup, CNN reported. Chad is not a member of the ECOWAS.

Before gaining its independence in 1860, Niger spent more than 50 years as a French colony. Strong diplomatic relations existed between the two nations prior to Thursday’s coup, but many Nigeriens believe France has continued to treat Niger like an imperial state, depriving it of its natural riches and imposing its leaders’ economic policies.

One of the poorest nations in the world, Niger receives aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars in international aid annually.

Algeria, EU call for return of constitutional order

To assure the restoration of the “constitutional order” in Niger, Algeria and the European Union (EU) have called for coordinating political and diplomatic pressures.

According to a statement released by the Algerian Foreign Ministry, the restoration of the “constitutional order” was discussed over the phone with the EU’s top foreign policy official, Turkish News Agency Anadolu Ajansi (AA) said.

The duo discussed developments in Niger and exchanged views on the threats they pose to both Niger and the entire region.

“Minister received @AhmedAttaf_Dz today, a phone call from the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The call centred on the disturbing developments in Niger, where the two sides exchanged views and analyses regarding developments in the situation in Niger and the dangers they pose to him and to the Saharan coastal region,” the Algerian Foreign Ministry tweeted.

Meanwhile, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune emphasised the need for a diplomatic solution in Niger, saying, “We call for the restoration of constitutional legitimacy, and if they seek assistance from Algeria in this matter, we would gladly welcome it.”

On July 26, a group of soldiers calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country delivered a statement on Nigerien state television shortly after detaining President Mohamed Bazoum, saying they took the step due to the “deteriorating security situation and bad governance.”

Bazoum was elected in 2021 in Niger’s first democratic power transition since it gained independence from French colonial rule in 1960.

On Saturday, the US government said it was pausing certain foreign assistance programmes benefiting the government of Niger. However, this interim measure does not impact all US foreign assistance programs in Niger, the provision of life-saving humanitarian and food assistance will continue, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a press statement.

A slew of punitive measures, including the closure of the land and air borders with Niger, were also announced by ECOWAS.

The group declared that it will reject any sort of supposed resignation from Bazoum, whom they view as a hostage.

Earlier, it was stated that France and the European Union will support ECOWAS organisations in their decision to impose sanctions on the junta. The two had previously stopped providing money to Niger.

Since gaining independence from France in 1960, military coups have occurred frequently in Niger. However, political instability has declined recently. In 2021, Bazoum was elected president in the nation’s first democratic transfer of power.

Before gaining its independence in 1960, Niger spent more than 50 years as a French colony. Strong diplomatic relations existed between the two nations prior to Thursday’s coup, but many Nigeriens believe France has continued to treat Niger like an imperial state, depriving it of its natural riches and imposing its leaders’ economic policies. One of the poorest nations in the world, Niger receives aid worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Niger coup leader meets Wagner group-allies Junta in Mali

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Niger coup leader meets Wagner group-allies Junta in Mali

French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday announced that it is preparing to evacuate its citizens and people of European nations who wish to leave Niger, days after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by members of his presidential guard…reports Asian Lite News

General Salifou Mody, one of the Niger officers who seized power in a military coup last week, visited Mali on Wednesday, CNN reported citing the Mali presidency.

Notably, this comes amid speculation of possible interest in the Wagner mercenary group, which has a presence in the country.

Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goïta, hosted Mody and a large Nigerien military delegation on Wednesday, CNN reported citing the pictures and a statement posted on Facebook by the Mali presidency.

Mody called the meeting “part of a complex regional context,” the Mali presidency said, and thanked Malian authorities “for their support and accompaniment since the seizure of power by the CNSP,” referring to the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland where Mody is vice president.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Wagner contractors are stationed in Mali at the invitation of the country’s military junta, to quell an Islamist insurgency brewing in an area where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger meet.

Last week, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin celebrated the coup in the landlocked West African country, saying his private military company could also help with situations like the one unfolding in Niger, CNN reported.

The dramatic ouster of Niger’s President Bazoum last week alarmed Western leaders, including the US and France, which are both key stakeholders in Niger’s crackdown on local insurgencies.

US officials have warned that the Russian mercenary group could now seek new opportunities in Niger.

“I would not be surprised to see Wagner attempt to exploit this situation to their own advantage as they’ve attempted to exploit other situations in Africa to their own advantage,” State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Wednesday.

Miller added that “any attempt by the military leaders in Niger to bring the Wagner forces into Niger would be a sign, yet another sign that they do not have the best interests of the Nigerien people at heart.”

Meanwhile, at least four European countries announced that plans to evacuate their citizens are underway in Niger.

Recently over the weekend, pictures from Niger showed protesters waving Russian flags, chanting Putin’s name.

French Foreign Ministry on Tuesday announced that it is preparing to evacuate its citizens and people of European nations who wish to leave Niger, days after President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by members of his presidential guard.

French Foreign Ministry’s statement comes after the supporters of the coup in Niger on Sunday burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey, Al Jazeera reported.

Germany also suspended collaboration and withhold financial aid to Niger, reported Al Jazeera.

At a press conference, a representative of the German foreign ministry said that all direct assistance payments to the Nigerian central government will be halted until further notice.

However, the coup has provoked a split reaction from countries in the Sahel region, where the threat of militant extremism in recent years has destabilized local governments and led to volatility.

On Monday, Mali and Burkina Faso’s governments said they would consider any military intervention “an act of war” against them and put their armies on standby.

On the other hand, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Sunday threatened to use force if Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, was not reinstated within one week.

ECOWAS also imposed a travel ban and asset freeze for the military officials involved in the coup attempt, as well as for their family members and civilians who accept to participate in any institutions or government established by the officials.

Burkina Faso and Mali expressed their solidarity with Nigerien authorities and said they would not participate in any measures against Niger by ECOWAS, calling the sanctions “illegal, illegitimate and inhuman.” Guinea also expressed its solidarity with Niger on Monday. (ANI)

ALSO READ-US orders partial evacuation of Niger embassy  

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‘MEA in touch with Indian nationals and embassy in Niger’

The French Government evacuated over 990 of its citizens including Indian nationals over the past two days…reports Asian Lite News

India is in touch with Indian nationals and embassy in Niger. There has not been any issue or complaint from them and all of them seem to be safe, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi Bagchi while speaking about the Niger coup, said, “There are around 250-odd (Indian) people there, but we could be a little off.”

“Most of them are staying there and there were some who were temporarily living there and they have utilized the opportunity of the French evacuation special flights. But, only 10 or 15 have left, including some of the businessmen who were there on temporary visas.”

Some other countries have also run evacuation flights such as European Union nations. “I don’t have the exact number because this was an offer made directly to the citizens,” he added.

Moreover, flights to five neighbouring countries have also resumed including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, and Chad. “So some Indian nationals are now planning to leave for those routes,” Bagchi said.

Bagchi said that the overall situation seems to be normal and stable. “We are in close contact with the Indian community there,” he added.

The French Government evacuated over 990 of its citizens including Indian nationals over the past two days.

Taking to Twitter, the French ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain said that the French government had evacuated around 992 people, out of which 560 are its citizens while the rest of them includes nationals from many other countries, including Indian citizens.

ALSO READ-US orders partial evacuation of Niger embassy  

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Indians among people evacuated by France from Niger

At least four European countries announced that plans to evacuate their citizens are underway in Niger….reports Asian Lite News

Following the military coup in Niger, the French Government evacuated over 990 of its citizens including Indian nationals over the past two days.

Taking to Twitter, the French ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain said that the French government had around 992 people, out of which 560 are its citizens while the rest of them includes nationals from many other countries, including Indian citizens.

“Following the military coup in #Niger, France has evacuated 992 people from the country through several rotation flights over the past two days. In addition to 560 French citizens, the flights evacuated nationals from many other countries, including Indian citizens,” Lenain said in a tweet.

Till now 4 flights carrying French and other national citizens have departed from Niger.

“4 flights have departed, 992 people wishing to leave the country have been transported. A 5th and final flight is scheduled for the end of the day,” French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a tweet.

Earlier, in a statement released on its website, French Foreign Ministry said, “Given the situation in Niamey, the violence that took place against our embassy the day before yesterday and the closure of airspace which leaves our compatriots without the possibility of leaving the country by their own means, France is preparing the evacuation of its nationals and of European nationals wishing to leave the country.”

It further said, “This evacuation will begin today.”French Foreign Ministry’s statement comes after the supporters of the coup in Niger on Sunday burned French flags and attacked the French embassy in Niger’s capital, Niamey, Al Jazeera reported.

At least four European countries announced that plans to evacuate their citizens are underway in Niger.

Following the incident, French President Emmanuel Macron said any attacks on French interests in Niger will be met with a “swift and uncompromising response,” according to Al Jazeera report.

The pro-coup protesters were seen chanting the names of Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite requests from the Kremlin to release the nation’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, CNN reported.

A plaque designating the Embassy was destroyed by some protesters, who later replaced it with Russian and Nigerian flags. In the masses, there were slogans of “down with France,” “long live Putin,” and “long live Russia,” according to CNN.

Nigerien security forces were seen using tear gas to disperse the protesters. One photograph from the spot showed people attempting to start a fire outside the compound, CNN reported.

Last Thursday, the Nigerien army command said it was supporting the seizure in a bid to thwart bloodshed. The military’s statement also warned against foreign military intervention, which it said “risks having disastrous and uncontrolled consequences”. (ANI)

ALSO READ: France to evacuate its citizens from coup-hit Niger

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US orders partial evacuation of Niger embassy  

The US announcement came as the self-declared new leader of Niger said the junta would not reinstate Bazoum despite pressure from neighbouring countries….reports Asian Lite News

The US has ordered the evacuation of some staff and families from its embassy in Niger after last week’s coup, the state department has said, as secretary of state Antony Blinken said the White House was committed to restoring the stricken country’s government.

Niger is a key western ally in the fight against Islamist insurgents in the region. Foreign powers have condemned the takeover, fearing it could allow the militants to gain ground.

“Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US embassy in Niamey,” state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, adding that the mission would remain open and senior leadership would continue working from there.

Blinken told Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, in a phone call on Wednesday that the US remained committed to the restoration of the democratically elected government, the state department also said.

Miller said the US remained “diplomatically engaged at the highest levels”, adding that the embassy remained open for limited, emergency services to US citizens.

The US announcement came as the self-declared new leader of Niger said the junta would not reinstate Bazoum despite pressure from neighbouring countries.

The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) has imposed sanctions on Niger and said it could authorise the use of force if the coup leaders do not restore Bazoum’s presidency within a week from last Sunday. The bloc sent a delegation to Niger on Wednesday to negotiate with the coup leaders.

In a televised address, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani said the junta “rejects these sanctions altogether and refuses to give into any threats, wherever they come from. We refuse any interference in the internal affairs of Niger.”

Ecowas has struggled to contain a democratic backslide in west Africa and vowed that coups would no longer be tolerated after military takeovers in member states Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, and an attempted coup in Guinea-Bissau, in the last two years.

“The military option is the very last option on the table, the last resort, but we have to prepare for the eventuality,” said Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace and security. “There is a need to demonstrate that we cannot only bark but can bite.”

ALSO READ: Sunak, Scholz discuss ‘concerning situation’ in Niger