The United States has ordered the evacuation of some staff and families from its embassy in Niger after presidential military officers seized power in the country.
According to the US State Department on Wednesday, the mission will, however, remain open, and senior leadership will continue working from there.
Recall that, on Wednesday, July 26, the military guards in Niger declared a coup on the democratic leadership, ousting its President, Mohamed Bazoum.
Niger is a key Western ally in the fight against Islamist insurgents. Foreign powers have condemned the takeover, fearing it could allow the militants to gain ground.
Reuters reported that in a statement issued by the US State Department Spokesperson, Matthew Miller, he said, “Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey.
“The United States remains committed to our relationship with the people of Niger and to Nigerien democracy. We remain diplomatically engaged at the highest levels.”
He said the embassy remains open for limited emergency services to U.S. citizens.
A U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity prior to the announcement, said U.S. personnel would be moved out of Niger by aircraft chartered by the State Department, and military aircraft would not be used. The official said “core” staff will remain at the embassy.
The State Department also advised Americans not to travel to Niger.
France, the United States, Germany, and Italy have troops in Niger on counterinsurgency and training missions, helping the army fight groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Although, following a recent protest against France in front of its embassy in Niger, it had begun evacuating European citizens from Niger as well as Italy.
There has been no announcement of troops being withdrawn so far. There are about 1,100 U.S. troops in Niger, where the U.S. military operates from two bases.
The Economic Community of West African States Authority of Heads of State, led by President Bola Tinubu, has issued a 7-day ultimatum for the military to restore democratic rule or face a military invasion.
