The United States Government has deployed a delegation led by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, to meet and have talks with the military junta that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic.
Politics Nigeria recalls that the U.S. Government on August 4, paused certain foreign assistance programmes to Niger Republic pending when the soldiers backtrack from the coup d’etat.
The US position since the military takeover has always been the restoration of President Bazoum’s administration.
However, not all the US foreign assistance programmes in Niger were suspended.
“Most importantly, the provision of life-saving humanitarian and food assistance will continue. Further, we are continuing U.S. government activities in Niger where feasible to do so, including diplomatic and security operations, for the protection of U.S. personnel,” the US Department of States had said in a statement.
But despite the ultimatum given to the junta by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) urging the soldiers to return to the barracks, they refused to backtrack.
Rather, the soldiers named a former economy minister, Ali Mahama Lamine, as the country’s new prime minister, contrary to the directive of ECOWAS and other international partners.
Amid the development, the Nuland travelled to the country’s capital to meet the coup plotters.
“Traveled to Niamey to express grave concern at the undemocratic attempts to seize power and urged a return to constitutional order,” she said on Tuesday.
