https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230820/new-us-ambassador-arrives-in-niger-will-not-present-credentials-1061460312.html
New US Ambassador Arrives in Niger, Will Not Present Credentials
New US Ambassador Arrives in Niger, Will Not Present Credentials
Sputnik Africa
The State Department said in early August that the US maintains an embassy in post-coup Niger despite the evacuation of some staff, continues diplomatic... 20.08.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-08-20T09:20+0200
2023-08-20T09:20+0200
2023-08-20T09:20+0200
situation in niger after military coup
niger
west africa
united states (us)
economic community of west african states (ecowas)
antony blinken
us state department
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A new US Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon has arrived in the country, but will not present her credentials to the current authorities due to "the current political crisis", the US Department of State said. FitzGibbon's arrival "does not reflect any change" in the United States' policy position, the statement added. The ambassador will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution to the situation in Niger and for the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the State Department said. 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." On Wednesday, State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said that FitzGibbon would head to Niger "to lead the mission during a critical time to support the American community and to coordinate on the US government's efforts." 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. On Friday, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Abdel-Fatau Musah said that ECOWAS general staff chiefs had agreed on a date for the beginning of military intervention, but would not make it public.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20230819/tensions-growing-between-france-us-over-military-takeover-in-niger-reports-say-1061442139.html
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niger, west africa, united states (us), economic community of west african states (ecowas), antony blinken, us state department
niger, west africa, united states (us), economic community of west african states (ecowas), antony blinken, us state department
New US Ambassador Arrives in Niger, Will Not Present Credentials
The State Department said in early August that the US maintains an embassy in post-coup Niger despite the evacuation of some staff, continues diplomatic contacts with the African state and expects a new ambassador to arrive there soon.
A new US Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon has arrived in the country, but will not present her credentials to the current authorities due to "the current political crisis", the US Department of State said.
"At the direction of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon has traveled to Niamey to lead our diplomatic mission in Niger and bolster efforts to help resolve the political crisis at this critical time ... Due to the current political crisis in Niger, Ambassador FitzGibbon will not formally present credentials," the State Department said in a statement.
FitzGibbon's arrival "does not reflect any change" in the United States'
policy position, the statement added. The ambassador will focus on advocating for a diplomatic solution to the situation in Niger and for the release of ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, the State Department said.
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." On Wednesday, State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel said that FitzGibbon would head to Niger "to lead the mission during a critical time to support the American community and to coordinate on the US government's efforts."
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. On Friday, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs Abdel-Fatau Musah said that ECOWAS general staff chiefs had agreed on a date for the beginning of military intervention, but would not make it public.
