AFP U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 00:59
US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland has visited the junta in Niger to talk to them about the coup they staged.
Nuland spoke for about two hours with the country’s military leaders in the capital Niamey. According to her, it was a “candid and difficult” conversation. As expected, the leaders refused to reinstate deposed President Bazoum. “They are sticking to their point of view on how to proceed and it is not in line with Niger’s constitution,” she said afterwards.
The military also did not want Nuland Bazoum to speak. According to her, the deposed president has been placed “in a form of house arrest”.
Important partner
Niger is an important partner for the US in the fight against terrorism in the region. With the takeover of the junta, there is also a fear that Russia will gain more influence in the country. In neighboring Mali, for example, mercenaries from the Wagner group are already present.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had issued an ultimatum to reverse the coup. That ultimatum expired yesterday, but military intervention has not yet materialised, despite threats to that effect.
On Thursday, the partnership will talk again about next steps.
2023-08-07 22:59:23
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