WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A senior U.S. official stated on Monday that there is a small window of opportunity to reverse the military takeover in Niger that occurred last week. The future diplomatic and military stance of the United States in the region will depend on whether the democratically elected government is reinstated within the next few days and weeks.
Within the span of less than three years, this military takeover marks the seventh instance in West and Central Africa, causing concerns about the security of the surrounding Sahel region. The U.S. strongly condemns this overthrow of elected President Mohamed Bazoum, and its objective is to support West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS in their efforts to reverse the coup.
The official from the State Department, speaking anonymously, said, “We don’t think it’s fully successful, and we think there’s a narrow opportunity to reverse it.” They further emphasized that the U.S. posture will depend on the developments that unfold within the next week, as well as the ability to aid the region and the Nigeriens in reversing the situation.
ECOWAS has given the coup leaders one week to reinstate Bazoum or face possible sanctions and the use of force. The United States, along with France and other Western states, has troops stationed in Niger and has been collaborating with the government in combating militant groups associated with Islamic State and al Qaeda.
Niger currently hosts approximately 1,100 U.S. troops, and there have been no announcements of any changes in their operations thus far.
According to U.S. law on foreign aid, providing assistance to a country where the elected head of government has been overthrown in a coup or by decree is mostly prohibited, unless determined to be in the national security interest of the United States by the Secretary of State.
The U.S. official mentioned that if the situation is deemed a coup, the United States will comply with its laws; however, they also noted that the situation is fluid and dynamic. A change in government would impact the United States’ ability to engage in Niger, although there are exceptions to the law for counterterrorism efforts.
“But we would prefer to have a good partner and an elected government. That’s the best way to fight terrorism,” the official stated.
Niger, along with its neighboring countries Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Chad, is currently grappling with the challenge of countering Islamist insurgents. U.S. military personnel have been providing training to local forces in their fight against militant groups.
(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Humeyra Pamuk, and Simon Lewis; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
