Niger: President Mohamed Bazoum calls on US for help after coup
By bintu jidda kanempress
4rd august 2023
Niger’s ousted leader, President Mohamed Bazoum has urged the US and “entire international community” to help “restore constitutional order” after last week’s coup.
In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, President Bazoum said he was writing “as a hostage”.
He also warned that the region could fall further under Russian influence, via the Wagner Group which already operates in neighbouring countries.
In his newspaper article, Mr Bazoum warned that the coup, if it succeeded, would have “devastating consequences for on its people, the region and the entire world”.
“Fighting for our shared values, including democratic pluralism and respect for the rule of law, is the only way to make sustainable progress against poverty and terrorism,” Mr Bazoum wrote.
“The Nigerien people will never forget your support at this pivotal moment in our history.”
Mr Bazoum also warned of the coup leaders’ links to Russian mercenary group Wagner, which operates elsewhere in the region, with an influence on Niger.
“The entire central Sahel region could fall to Russian influence via the Wagner group, whose brutal terrorism has been on full display in Ukraine,” Mr Bazoum wrote.
Supporters of the coup in Niger have been chanting pro-Russian slogans and wearing the colours of the Russian flag.
Niger’s West African neighbours had threatened military intervention.
The coup leaders on Thursday announced withdrawing the Nigerien ambassadors from France, the US, Nigeria and Togo.
In a statement on national television, the coup leaders said the functions of the four ambassadors had been “terminated”.
Hours before, Nigerien ambassador to the US, Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, said the junta “should come to reason” and “realise that this affair cannot succeed”.
Thousands of people went on the streets on Thursday to the streets of Niger’s capital, Niamey, in a peaceful demonstration backing the coup and criticising other West African countries for imposing financial and trade sanctions on Niger.
