In Niamey on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the United States declared its willingness to resume cooperation with Niger, contingent upon the military regime that assumed power in a coup at the end of July, committing to a notably brief transition period.
Washington had previously suspended its cooperation with Niger following the July 26 coup, which ousted the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs, during her visit to Niamey on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, engaged in discussions with various Nigerien officials, including Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, appointed by the military.
Emphasizing the condition for resuming cooperation, she asserted that the Nigerien military must declare “a deadline for a rapid and credible transition” leading to the establishment of “a democratically elected government.” She added during a press briefing on Wednesday, “We have confirmed that we are ready to resume our cooperation if the CNSP (military regime) takes the steps I have outlined.”
The military regime proposes a maximum three-year transition period, with its duration determined through “a national dialogue” set to be convened soon.
Regarding the fate of the former president, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State mentioned that they have “agreed to reach a satisfactory solution” for him, his family, and members of his government. Since the coup, Mohamed Bazoum has been confined to his residence, with several former dignitaries either arrested or having fled the country.
Participating in a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presidents in Abuja on Sunday, the U.S. diplomat underscored the importance of the military regime responding positively to ECOWAS’ offer for negotiation. She expressed the United States’ support for the resolutions of the regional organization, which maintained economic and financial sanctions on Niger after the coup, conditioning their easing on a notably “short transition.”
Additionally, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, set to present her credentials soon, was confirmed by the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, in early December.
Ref: AFP
