The meeting between the head of Niger's ruling National Council for the Defense of the Homeland, General Abdourahamane Tiani, and the US delegation led by US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee did not take place on Thursday, although it was scheduled, French media reported.
The US delegation was scheduled to visit Niger on March 12-13, but Phee decided to extend the stay by a day in hopes of meeting with the West African country's leadership, the publication said, citing diplomatic sources.
The US State Department said in a statement that the purpose of the officials' visit was to discuss with Niger's leaders "the return to a democratic path and the future of our security and development partnership."
The US, along with France and other Western partners, cut off aid to Niger after the military coup last July. However, the US military presence has been maintained, and 1,000 military personnel still remain on base.
In addition, late last October, Washington cut Niger off from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) preferential trade program since it "has not established, or are not making continual progress toward establishing the protection of political pluralism and the rule of law."
The termination of Niger's participation in the AGOA program, along with the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Uganda, was effective January 1.
In July 2023, a coup took place in Niger, a former French colony. President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted and detained by his own guard, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. The National Council for the Defense of the Homeland was created, and a decree was signed forming a new transitional government.