Backroom negotiations are continuing over the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum, the democratically elected president of the West African nation of Niger, after the country’s military junta shut its airspace during a tense regional standoff.
A top State Department official held what she described as “difficult” talks in the West African country of Niger on Monday in a bid to start negotiations with the military junta that last month deposed the elected president, a key U.S. ally in the region.
Nuland said she offered the United States as a mediator. “We are prepared to help with that, we are prepared to help address concerns on all sides. I would not say that we were in any way taken up on that offer, but I’m hoping that they will think about it,” she said. But there was no sign of military intervention Monday, and ECOWAS simply said it would hold another meeting Thursday.
Bazoum’s strongest supporters among ECOWAS include Nigeria, Senegal, Benin and Ivory Coast. He is also backed by former colonial power France and the United States, which each have troops in the country. The new rulers have said French troops must leave but have been silent on military relations with the United States, which has two key bases in Niger used to monitor militant activity in the Sahel and the war in Sudan.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Niger awaits ECOWAS response as junta ignores ultimatum to restore BazoumRegional tensions have mounted since mutinous soldiers overthrew Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum nearly two weeks ago, detaining him and installing Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani as head of state.
Read more »
Support for Force to Reverse Niger Coup Fades as Deadline LoomsSupport for a West African military operation to reverse the coup in neighboring Niger wavered as a deadline for the junta to reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum arrived on Sunday.
Read more »
Niger junta closes air space as ECOWAS deadline set to lapseThe Economic Community of West African States, bloc chaired by Nigeria, had given Niger's troops that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, a week to return him to power.
Read more »
Insight: Behind Niger's coup, a feud over the former president's legacyNiger's coup was the culmination of months of acrimony between President Mohamed Bazoum and his chief guard over the leader's attempts to emerge from the shadow of his predecessor, people familiar with the matter said.
Read more »
Niger closes airspace as it refuses to reinstate presidentNiger closed its airspace on Sunday until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc after coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate the country's ousted president.
Read more »
US diplomat denied meeting with ousted president in NigerA senior US diplomat met with Niger's military leaders to reverse a coup, but was refused a meeting with the democratically elected president who is under virtual house arrest. The diplomat also warned against Niger following Mali in bringing in Russian mercenaries.
Read more »