News Desk
The United States on Friday said the junta which took power in the Republic of Niger would be held accountable for safety of the democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, his family, and members of his government detained.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement said “The United States joins the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in calling for the restoration of constitutional order in Niger.
Recall that the United States cut down some foreign assistance programs for Niger recently after the military junta overthrew the democratically elected president.
On Thursday, West Africa’s regional bloc left all options open, in a bid to allow democracy to thrive in Africa. The bloc said it wanted a peaceful restoration of democracy but all options, including force, were on the table, appreciating the determination of ECOWAS to explore all options for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.
”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.
Recall that the junta, which seized power on July 26, had defied an Aug. 6 deadline to stand down set by ECOWAS, instead closed 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.”
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