The embassy has completed the departure order, and the United States has announced a suspension of $100 million in aid to Niger | United States
On August 7th local time, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated at a briefing that US aid projects to the Niger government have been suspended due to the country's military takeover. These projects are worth over $100 million and include development assistance, security assistance, and law enforcement assistance. He stated that if President Bazum regains power, the suspension of US security assistance will be lifted.
Miller stated that the US Embassy in Niger completed the departure order on the 4th local time and assisted 100 US citizens in leaving. He also stated that the US State Department has been in contact with Niger's President Bazum, and US State Department officials had a conversation with Bazum earlier on the 7th.
Related links:
The second in command of the US State Department has gone to Niger
According to Agence France Presse on August 7th, US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Newland stated on August 7th that she has met with Niger's military leaders, but there has been no progress in resolving the country's military coup.
The report pointed out that Newland is currently the second in command of the US State Department, and she held over two hours of talks with senior military leaders in the Niger capital Niamey.
Newland said as he prepared to leave Niamey, "These conversations are very candid and often very difficult."
She stated that this is the first dialogue mediated by the United States, and she met with the new Chief of General Staff of the Niger Army, Musa Salau Balmou, and other leaders.
Newland said she gave "some options" to end the military coup and explained what consequences the Niger military would have on its relationship with the United States if it did not restore President Bazum's authority or introduce Russian Wagner mercenaries like Mali did.
Newland stated that the Niger coup soldiers are well aware of the risks their sovereignty will face if the Wagner Group is invited to enter the country.
In addition, Agence France Presse also reported that the US stated on the 7th that there is still "an opportunity" to end the Niger military coup through diplomatic means.
According to reports, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, "The window of opportunity is definitely still open. We believe that the military government must step down and President Bazam should be restored to power."
The Economic Community of West African States had previously issued an ultimatum to Niger's coup soldiers, demanding the restoration of Bazum's authority before midnight on August 6th. This ultimatum has expired and the Nigerian coup soldiers have refused to accept it, but the Western Community has not yet responded.
According to reports, Miller stated that military intervention is a "last resort" for the Western Community, and the United States is "focused on finding diplomatic solutions.".