In a move that may upset France, the US State Department announced on Saturday the arrival of its new ambassador to Niger, Kathleen Fitzgibbons, in the capital, Niamey. However, she won’t formally present her credentials due to the current political turmoil.
Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the department, said in a statement that Fitzgibbons’ arrival “does not reflect a change in our political stance. Instead, it responds to the need for higher leadership in our mission during these challenging times.” He added that the ambassador’s arrival aims to expedite a political solution, focusing on maintaining Niger’s constitutional order in the aftermath of the coup.
Earlier this week, the White House reaffirmed that Mohamed Bazoum is the democratically elected president of Niger. The US emphasized the importance of his and his family’s release and the continuation of his administration.
This development comes after ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) confirmed on Friday that it’s “prepared to intervene” in Niger, and even set a date for the potential military operation. Abdul-Fattah Musa, the commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security at the organization, stated, “We are ready to act as soon as we receive the order, and the intervention date has been fixed.”
Meanwhile, France has reiterated its intent to retain its forces in Niger. Paris denied any intentions of withdrawing its troops stationed in Niger to redirect them to Chadian territories. The French foreign ministry stated that its forces in Niger operate based on a request from Niger’s legitimate authorities, in accordance with agreements signed with them, to protect the nation from terrorism. They emphasized that they do not recognize any decisions made by the coup plotters.
Since July 26, members of Niger’s presidential guard staged a coup against President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been detained at the presidential residence since then. The coup leaders announced the suspension of the constitution, the establishment of a National Council for the Salvation of the Nation, and subsequently formed a government comprising both civilians and military officials.
