The United States Department of State announced on Thursday morning that Washington has ordered a partial evacuation of its embassy staff in Niger, a week after a coup unfolded in the country.
The announcement came as an update to the U.S. travel advisory for Niger, stating, “On August 2, 2023, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible family members from the Embassy in Niamey.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S. media outlets reported that the U.S. was preparing to evacuate its embassy staff in Niger following the recent developments in the country. Quoting a U.S. diplomat, the reports noted, “The U.S. is preparing to evacuate its embassy staff in Niger, and while the final decision for evacuation has not yet been made, it is imminent.” It was highlighted that the potential evacuation order would include most, but not all, of Washington’s embassy staff in Niger.
On July 27, military officials in the Nigerien army announced the ousting of the country’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, along with the closure of the country’s borders and the imposition of a curfew. Niger has witnessed repeated attempts to forcibly change the ruling power, the latest of which was a failed coup attempt in March 2021, days before Bazoum assumed power.
