US signals support for ECOWAS military intervention in Niger. Photo/Illustration/Sindonews
WASHINGTON – United States of America (US) says it supports efforts to restore “constitutional order” Niger after last month’s military mutiny. It came after countries in the region said they would activate troops for possible armed intervention.
In a statement published on Thursday local time, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington supports the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for Niger’s military government to step down, stressing the need for political stability and social cohesion.
“We reiterate ECOWAS’s condemnation of the illegal detention of President Mohamed Bazoum, his family and members of the government, and the unacceptable conditions in which they were held, and call for their immediate release,” the top US diplomat added, referring to Niger’s ousted heads of state as quoted from Russia TodayFriday (11/8/2023).
While Blinken added that US officials hoped ECOWAS would explore all options for a peaceful resolution of the crisis, his comments came just hours after the West African bloc said it would start organizing military forces to return Bazoum to power.
The Niger leader was ousted last month by rebel military commanders, who have since placed him in custody and ruled Niger’s government.
“No options are taken off the table, including the use of force as a last resort,” Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said earlier, after hosting an ECOWAS meeting in Abuja.
“I hope that through our collective efforts, we can realize a peaceful resolution as a roadmap for restoring stability and democracy in Niger. All is not lost,” he added.
2023-08-11 16:05:40
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