2023-08-17 03:15:54
A new American ambassador will soon settle in Niger to participate in diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the legitimate government, overthrown by a coup, Washington said on Wednesday.
Diplomat Kathleen FitzGibbon received the green light from the Senate on July 27, the day following the military took power. She had been waiting for the formalization of her appointment for almost a year, due to a political battle independent of her person.
“We can’t wait for Ambassador FitzGibbon to arrive in Niamey,” US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
He assured that this arrival did not mean that the United States approved of the military coup and that Washington was still demanding the release and return to power of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum.
“This is not a sign of a change in US policy, but of their continued involvement” in this crisis, he said.
Ms. FitzGibbon, who has extensive experience in Africa, will move to Niamey despite the departure in early August of non-essential embassy staff.
The US State Department is closely monitoring the situation in Niger. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken several times with President Bazoum and regional officials, and his N.2 Victoria Nuland made a surprise visit to Niamey last week to meet the perpetrators of the coup.
Niger is home to American and French soldiers engaged in operations once morest jihadist groups active in the Sahel.
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