The United State Secretary of State Antony Blinken Sunday communicated with Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu over the recent coup in Niger.
This was disclosed in a statement by the US Embassy in Nigeria.
According to the statement, Mr Blinken expressed deep concern over the events in Niger and the ongoing detention of democratically elected President Bazoum.
The News.ng last week reported that US Vice President Kamala Harris phoned President Tinubu in which she also commended him for spearheading the peace moves toward restoring constitutional order in the Republic of Niger, which is now confronting an army-led revolution.
Also, Mr Blinken was said to have also thanked President Tinubu who was recently elected as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State for his efforts to restore peace in the troubled nation.
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. The Secretary shared his deep concern over the events in Niger and the ongoing detention of democratically elected President Bazoum.
“The Secretary expressed his thanks for President Tinubu’s leadership, both as President of Nigeria and as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, throughout the current crisis.
“He underscored his support for President Tinubu’s continued efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Military officers in Niger Republic deposed President Mohammed Bazoum’s democratic government.
According to reports, soldiers took over state television on Wednesday night and declared a successful operation in the West African country. The news came just hours after Mr Bazoum was detained inside the presidential palace in Niamey.
President Tinubu had promptly dismissed the threat to democracy in that country and sent a large delegation to meet with all parties in order to restore constitutional order in Niger.
Similarly, the ECOWAS Head of State and Government, chaired by President Tinubu, convened in Abuja on Sunday and ordered Bazoum’s immediate release and reinstatement as the legal Head of State and Government of the Republic of Niger.
In reaction, Niger’s military leaders warned the ECOWAS leaders against any military intervention in a statement read on national television, the Guardian newspaper reported.