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Washington suspended its cooperation with Niger after the July 26 coup that overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. During her visit to Niamey since Tuesday, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Phee held discussions with several Nigerien officials, including the Prime Minister appointed by the military, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
The United States announced its readiness to resume cooperation with Niger, on the condition that the military regime that came to power at the end of July in a coup commits to a notably brief transition.
Washington suspended its cooperation with Niger after the July 26 coup that overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. During her visit to Niamey since Tuesday, the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for African Affairs Ms Phee held discussions with several Nigerien officials, including the Prime Minister appointed by the military, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
She emphasized that Niger’s military power must announce a deadline for a rapid and credible transition leading to a democratically elected government. The military proposes a maximum three-year transition period before returning power to civilians, with its duration determined by a national dialogue that will be convened imminently.
Regarding the fate of the former president, Ms. Phee indicated that they have agreed to reach a satisfactory solution for him, his family, and members of his government. Mohamed Bazoum has been confined to his residence with his wife and son. Several former dignitaries have been arrested or have fled the country.
Ms. Phee participated in a summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) presidents in Abuja, which maintained heavy economic and financial sanctions imposed on Niger after the coup, conditioning their easing on a notably short transition.
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The new U.S. ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, who arrived in Niamey in mid-August, will soon present her credentials to the authorities. Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, assured this in early December indicating the normalization of ties with the US.
