U.S. orders partial evacuation of embassy in Niger following army takeover

The U.S. Division of State Wednesday ordered a brief partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Niamey following the army takeover of Niger’s authorities final week. 

The State Division mentioned all non-emergency U.S. authorities personnel and eligible members of the family have been ordered to depart from the embassy on Wednesday, noting the industrial flights are restricted. 

The company mentioned the embassy will keep open for restricted, emergency providers for U.S. residents. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that U.S. leaders are “diplomatically engaged on the highest ranges,” in a put up on X, previously generally known as Twitter. 

Navy leaders supporting Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani final week took over the nation’s democratically elected authorities and arrested Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum. Mutinous troopers later declared Tchiani Niger’s head of state.

The Biden administration is holding again on calling the takeover a “coup,” because it maintains round $200 million of humanitarian and financial help within the nation. The U.S. suspended army cooperation with the Nigerian forces, however has not indicated will probably be evacuating the estimated 1,100 U.S. troops concerned in counterterrorism, surveillance and intelligence gathering with Nigerian forces.

“The US rejects all efforts to overturn Niger’s constitutional order, and stands with the individuals of Niger, the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, and different worldwide companions in help of democratic governance and respect for the rule of legislation and human rights,” the State Division wrote in an announcement Wednesday. 

The European Union and international locations together with France, Germany and Italy suspended their help to the Nigerian authorities and inspired residents to take evacuation flights out of Niger. 

An announcement from the State Division mentioned U.S. residents trying to depart Niger in want of help ought to submit an help request on the Division of State’s web site.