https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230819/tensions-growing-between-france-us-over-military-takeover-in-niger-reports-say-1061442139.html
Tensions Growing Between France, US Over Military Takeover in Niger, Reports Say
Tensions Growing Between France, US Over Military Takeover in Niger, Reports Say
Sputnik Africa
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US-France alliance is experiencing growing tension against the background of Washington's attempts to diplomatically engage coup leaders... 19.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-19T09:15+0200
2023-08-19T09:15+0200
2023-08-19T09:15+0200
situation in niger after military coup
niger
west africa
france
united states (us)
coup
mohamed bazoum
abdourahamane tiani
west
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On August 7, acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland traveled to Niger and met with several coup leaders. Nuland later specified that she met the rebels’ leader, Moussa Salaou Barmou, and three of his colonels in Niger’s capital, Niamey. She described the talks with them as "frank and difficult." Earlier this week, Washington also appointed a new ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, who will arrive in Niamey "to lead the mission during a critical time to support the American community and to coordinate on the US government's efforts," State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said. Former White House National Security Council official Cameron Hudson told the media that Paris' unhappiness with the approach of Washington is caused by losing one of the last strategic footholds in West Africa. A US official told the media that some allies of Washington were unhappy with Nuland’s trip but defended the attempt to diplomatically engage the military leaders. Moreover, Ali El Husseini, an American with connections to the coup leadership, told the media that coup leaders in Niger do not trust Paris as the French authorities act like the new rulers "don’t exist," but are willing to engage with Washington, which they see as "being less condescending." A senior French diplomat said that Paris is not engaging with military leaders in Niger to show their support for ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum. The outlet cited White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson as saying that the US did not deny tensions between Paris and Washington over Niger, but the allies continue to engage. A spokesperson for the French Embassy in Washington also told the media that "there is close coordination and ongoing discussions" between the allies. A coup took place in Niger on July 26. Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebels' assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country. In early August, during a summit in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, ECOWAS leaders agreed to activate a standby force to potentially compel the Nigerien military to reinstate Bazoum.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230817/niger-its-official-end-of-francafrique-according-to-former-austrian-minister-1061402084.html
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niger, west africa, france, united states (us), coup, mohamed bazoum, abdourahamane tiani, west
niger, west africa, france, united states (us), coup, mohamed bazoum, abdourahamane tiani, west
Tensions Growing Between France, US Over Military Takeover in Niger, Reports Say
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US-France alliance is experiencing growing tension against the background of Washington's attempts to diplomatically engage coup leaders in Niger as Paris opposes this approach citing the empowerment of the junta as the reason, the Western media reported, citing French and US officials familiar with the matter.
On August 7, acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland traveled to Niger and met with several coup leaders. Nuland later specified that she met the rebels’ leader, Moussa Salaou Barmou, and three of his colonels in Niger’s capital, Niamey. She described the talks with them as "frank and difficult."
Earlier this week, Washington also appointed a new ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, who will arrive in Niamey "
to lead the mission during a critical time to support the American community and to coordinate on the US government's efforts," State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said.
"Perhaps in order to avoid bloodshed, the US was quickly keen to talk to the putschists. Maybe the better reaction should’ve been to put some conditions or guarantees before opening those channels," a French official told the media, pointing to Nuland's visit as an example of being too quick to engage.
Former White House National Security Council official Cameron Hudson told the media that Paris' unhappiness with the approach of Washington is caused by losing one of the last strategic footholds in West Africa.
"The stakes for France in Niger are much higher than for Washington … It’s a psychological and strategic defeat for France," he said.
A US official told the media that some allies of Washington were unhappy with Nuland’s trip but defended the attempt to diplomatically engage the military leaders.
"The window of opportunity is closing ... Do you let that window seal shut? Or inject some degree of flexibility?" the official said.
Moreover, Ali El Husseini, an American with connections to the coup leadership, told the media that coup leaders in Niger
do not trust Paris as the French authorities act like the new rulers "don’t exist," but are willing to engage with Washington, which they see as "being less condescending."
A senior French diplomat said that Paris is not engaging with military leaders in Niger to show their support for ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum.
"There is no popular support for the junta ... We don’t see a new regime that is gaining legitimacy. And we have a legitimate president who is fighting for survival," the diplomat said.
The outlet cited White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson as saying that the US did not deny tensions between Paris and Washington over Niger, but the allies continue to engage. A spokesperson for the French Embassy in Washington also told the media that "there is close coordination and ongoing discussions" between the allies.
A coup took place in Niger on July 26. Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani. Following the coup, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) suspended all financial aid to Niger, froze rebels' assets and imposed a ban on commercial flights to and from the country. In early August, during a summit in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, ECOWAS leaders
agreed to activate a standby force to potentially compel the Nigerien military to reinstate Bazoum.
