The United States has announced the suspension of some aid to Niger following the coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the US will continue life-saving humanitarian and food assistance, as well as diplomatic and security operations to protect US personnel.
The provision of US assistance to the government of Niger depends on democratic governance and respect for constitutional order. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is weighing possible military intervention to return Bazoum's government to power. Bazoum called on the international community to help restore the country's constitutional order and warned of "devastating" consequences for the world if the coup against him succeeds.
Niger, which gained independence from France in 1960, has been seen as one of the few reliable partners of the West in combating violent extremism in Africa's restive Sahel region. The West African country is the largest recipient of US military assistance in the region and hosts more than 2,000 Western troops, mostly from the US and France.
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