Biden calls for immediate release of Niger’s deposed president

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA): US President Joe Biden has called for the immediate release of Niger’s deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum.

In a statement, the White House said that defending fundamental democratic values, and standing up for constitutional order, justice, and the right of peaceful assembly, are essential to the partnership between Niger and the US.

“I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” said the statement released on the occasion of the West African country’s 63rd anniversary of independence from France.

The former French colony deeply resents France’s political influence and exploitation in the uranium-rich country. The deposed ruler Bazoum was a close ally of France and its Western allies including the US.

“The United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” it added.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US ordered the evacuation of all non-emergency government personnel from its embassy in Niger amid fears of growing conflict.

European countries including France have evacuated their nationals.

On July 26, Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, and that evening, the military announced that it had seized power.

On Friday, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government, two days after deposing Bazoum.

Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States bloc (ECOWAS) on Sunday imposed heavy sanctions on Niger, and called on the military coup leaders to reinstate Bazoum within one week.