As it reiterates its support for Bazoum, the US suspends certain foreign aid to Niger
Following the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the United States has stated that it will suspend some of its aid to Niger.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced in a statement on Friday that Washington is suspending “certain foreign assistance programmes benefiting the government of Niger.”
“As we have made clear from the beginning of this situation, the provision of US assistance to the government of Niger depends on democratic governance and respect for constitutional order,” Blinken said, adding that Washington would keep reevaluating its overseas aid as the situation changed on the ground.
The life-saving humanitarian and food assistance, as well as diplomatic and security activities to safeguard US troops, were all promised to continue by Blinken, who did not specify which programs would be impacted.
In order to help the Nigerese people maintain their hard-won democracy, Blinken said, “We Remain Committed to Supporting the People of Niger and We Reiterate Our Call for the Immediate Restoration of Niger’s Democratically-Elected Government.”
The action comes as the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is considering using military force to restore Bazoum’s administration to power.
Bazoum urged the international community to assist in restoring the nation’s constitutional order in an opinion piece that was published in the Washington Post on Thursday. He also threatened the world with “devastating” repercussions if the coup against him were to succeed.
In the restless Sahel region of Africa, Niger, which declared its independence from France in 1960, has been regarded as one of the West’s few trustworthy allies in the fight against violent extremism.
More than 2,000 Western troops, primarily from the US and France, are stationed in the West African nation, which is the main recipient of US military aid in the area.
In the first peaceful transfer of power in the nation since its independence, Bazoum, one of the few pro-Western politicians in the area, won the election in 2021.
Last week, military forces under the command of General Abdourahamane Tchian overthrew Bazoum. Tchian has defended the coup as being necessary to stop “the gradual and inevitable demise” of the nation.
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