The US Deputy Secretary of State held talks with the military junta in Niger

US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland visited Niger, where she held talks with the military that seized power. Nuland refused to meet with the deposed president of the country, Mohamed Bazum, as well as with the leader of the coup, Abdurrahman Tchiani, Reuters reports.

According to Nuland, “extremely frank and at times quite difficult” negotiations with the military continued for more than two hours, but it was not possible to succeed and convince the rebels to cancel the coup. Nuland stressed that she had warned the junta that the United States would stop providing all kinds of support to Niger if the legitimate government was not restored in the country.

“This was the first conversation in which the USA offered its good services if the people responsible for the coup have a desire to return to the constitutional order,” the US Deputy Secretary of State told reporters after the talks. “I hope they will keep the door open for diplomacy,” Nuland added

The American diplomat said that she provided the military in Niger with several options for possible actions, and also clearly indicated the consequences for relations with the United States if Niger does not reinstate the deposed president Bazum or follows the path of neighboring Mali, cooperating with the Russian PMC “Wagner”.

According to Nuland, the military with whom she met are well aware of the risks for Niger’s sovereignty, in the event that the PMC “Wagner” mercenaries are invited to the country.

• Recently, the deposed president of Niger, Mohamed Bazum, appealed to the United States and the international community for help in restoring order in the country. He expressed his fear that due to the actions of the rebels, the entire Sahel region “may fall under the influence of Russia through the Wagner group”. Supporters of the coup in Niger have repeatedly taken to the streets with Russian national flags. At the same time, Moscow has also officially condemned the actions of the junta.
• Since July 26, Mohamed Bazum has been detained, and the army general and commander of the presidential guard, Abdurakhman Tchiani, has declared himself the new leader of Niger.
• Niger is a major producer of uranium, which is extremely necessary for nuclear power. Under President Bazuma, Niger was considered a key ally of the West in the fight against radical Islamists in the West African Sahel region.
• The Russian PMC “Wagner” is present in a number of African countries, in particular in Mali bordering Niger, where a coup also occurred earlier. The military junta of Mali pursues a pro-Russian policy.

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