News (Niamey) – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced today, Thursday, $150 million in new US humanitarian aid for the Sahel region, bringing the total US support to the region to $233 million in 2023.
During his meeting in Niamey with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, Blinken praised Niger, saying that it “was quick to defend the democratic values threatened in neighboring countries,” referring to Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea Conakry, which witnessed military coups.
The head of US diplomacy, who became the first US Secretary of State to visit the former French colony, expressed US support for Niger.
Before his meeting with Bazoum, Blinken started his visit by meeting former fighters in the ranks of armed groups, who laid down their arms and are currently benefiting from a reintegration program funded by Washington with about $20 million.
Blinken considered that this program offers a “better option” for ex-militants, adding: “From our point of view, it is in fact an example” for the region.
Before his visit to Niger, Blinken had visited Ethiopia and announced US humanitarian aid to the country worth $331 million, bringing Washington’s total aid to Addis Ababa to $780 million “in the US fiscal year 2023.”
During yesterday’s visit to Ethiopia, Blinken urged the country’s authorities to ensure accountability regarding the war in Tigray, which claimed approximately 500,000 lives, according to US estimates.
