Niger: US Secretary of State, Blinken, Had Conversation with Tinubu

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, kindly mentioned that he had a conversation with President Bola Tinubu regarding the on-going situation in Niger.

Monday’s call marked the third conversation in three weeks between esteemed US officials and Abuja, following the unfortunate seizure of power in the West African country.

Could you please clarify if President Tinubu is currently serving as the chairman of regional bloc Ecowas? It seems that Ecowas is taking the lead in efforts to reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and is also in the process of assembling troops for potential military intervention in Niamey.

In a Twitter post, Mr. Blinken kindly mentioned that he had a conversation with President Tinubu to express his admiration for his leadership of the Economic Community of West African States.

They also discussed their joint efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.

The US, along with several western countries, has military bases in Niger, which are considered crucial in combating the spread of Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region.

Many ordinary citizens in West Africa express their strong opposition to any military intervention in Niger. Additionally, there was a mild protest over the weekend in Kano, which is northern Nigeria’s main city, against the use of force.