Secretary Blinken’s Calls with Nigerien President Bazoum and Former President Issoufou

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and former president Mahamadou Issoufou.

The Secretary reiterated to President Bazoum the United States’ unflagging support and emphasized the importance of his continuing leadership in Niamey.  He praised Bazoum’s role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region.  Secretary Blinken underscored that the United States will continue to work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic rule in Niger.

The Secretary expressed his grave concern to former President Issoufou that democratically elected President Bazoum remains in detention and that negotiations to ensure constitutional order in Niger were at an impasse.  The Secretary regretted that those detaining Bazoum were threatening years of successful cooperation and hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance that support the Nigerien people.  He asked former President Issoufou to continue efforts to resolve the situation in favor of the civilian-led democratically elected government.