Niger coup: US offers 'unwavering support' to leader forcibly removed from power
The United States has offered its "unwavering support" to Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum was ousted in a coup this week led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, also known as Omar Tchiani, head of the presidential guard unit. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned those holding Bazoum that "hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance" are at risk, reports the BBC.
Bazoum has been considered a key ally by Western nations in the fight against Islamist militants in the region. He is now reportedly in good health but is being held captive by his own guards.
Blinken called Bazoum for the second time in as many days, saying Washington would continue to work to "ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic governance in Niger."
The UN Security Council called for the immediate and unconditional release of Lyu Bazoum and condemned "efforts to unconstitutionally change the legitimate government" of Niger.
France, whose colonial empire included Niger, said it did not recognise any of the coup leaders.
"We reiterate in the strongest terms the clear demand of the international community for the immediate restoration of constitutional order and democratically elected civilian power," a French foreign ministry statement said.
The coup has thrown the Sahel region into further uncertainty after similar takeovers in Burkina Faso and Mali.
It has been strongly condemned by international bodies including the African Union, the West African regional bloc (Ecowas), the EU and the UN.
However, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group praised the coup, describing it as a triumph.
