The military junta in Niger Republic cuts off ties with Nigeria after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) failed to resolve the ongoing impasse.
To avoid a clash with the junta, ECOWAS issued a seven-day ultimatum for President Mohamed Bazoum’s reinstatement.
On Thursday, however, President Bola Tinubu dispatched a high-level delegation to the country to meet with the coup leaders.
The delegation, led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), only met with junta representatives.
As a result, Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, its coloniser, France, and the United States.
“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo, and the United States have been terminated,” one of the putschists said on national television, according to Radio France International.
On July 26, Niger’s deposed leader, Bazoum, was apprehended by members of the Presidential Guard, and the military declared victory that evening.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government two days after toppling Bazoum’s government.
Meanwhile, the US has backed ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, in its efforts to re-establish Bazoum.
In a statement issued by the White House on Thursday, US President Joe Biden called for Bazoum’s immediate release.
The release, according to the American leader, is critical for defending fundamental democratic values and standing up for constitutional order, justice, and the right to peaceful assembly, all of which are foundational to Niger-US cooperation.
“I demand the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family, as well as the preservation of Niger’s hard-won democracy.”
“The United States stands with the people of Niger to honour our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” he said in a statement.
Some European countries have evacuated their nationals from Niger due to growing conflict fears.
