Niger Crisis: US secretary for African Affairs meets ECOWAS leaders

The US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, will on Monday, December 11 hold talks with leaders of West African regional bloc, ECOWAS, over the political crisis in Niger Republic.

A statement published on the website of the US Secretary of State said the meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja, the Nigeria capital, is aimed to rally support for regional efforts to return Niger to democratic authority.

The meeting will also canvass strategies to promote security, stability, prosperity and democracy in West Africa.

According to the statement, Phee, who arrived in Nigeria on Friday, “During her visit, will consult with West African leaders on how the United States can best support regional efforts to return Niger to a democratic path and to promote security, stability, prosperity and democracy in the Sahel.”

Nigerien military officers, led by Abdourahmane Tchiani, had on July 26, 2023, sacked President Mohamed Bazoum over corruption allegations and lack of commitment to contain the incessant insecurity situation in some parts of the country.

The July 26 coup has since been condemned, with Western countries supporting the efforts by the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) bloc led by President Bola Tinubu to return the country to constitutional authority.