On Thursday, American President Joe Biden called for the “immediate release” of the ousted President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who is currently held by the military following a coup d’état last week.
In an official statement issued on the 63rd anniversary of Niger’s independence, Joe Biden strongly condemned the coup d’état in the West African country. The American President expressed solidarity with the Nigerien people and urged the perpetrators of the coup to immediately release the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. He also emphasized the importance of preserving the hard-won democracy in Niger.
The coup, which occurred last week, caught the world by surprise and raised concerns about the country’s political future. The deposed President, Mohamed Bazoum, is now being held by the military who orchestrated the takeover. This situation triggered an international response, with the United States taking measures to ensure the safety of their personnel by evacuating non-essential staff from their embassy in Niamey.
Niger holds a crucial geostrategic position in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel, serving as an important military base for Western forces engaged in the region. The current political instability raises concerns about the country’s ability to continue playing this essential role in the fight against jihadist groups operating in the region.
