Again, U.S. Secretary Of State, Blinken Calls President Tinubu Over Detained Niger President

The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Bliken, has called Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over the political developments in Niger Republic.

The Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Matthew Miller, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

Miller said Blinken spoke on the phone with Tinubu on Saturday regarding the situation in Niger Republic, adding that the Secretary shared his deep concern over the ongoing detention of President Bazoum.

He said the U.S. Secretary expressed his thanks for President Tinubu’s leadership, both as President of Nigeria and as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) throughout the current crisis.

Miller said Blinken underscored the support of the U.S. government for President Tinubu’s continued efforts to restore constitutional order in Niger.

TrackNews recalls that the officers seized President Mohamed Bazoum and blockaded his residence in the capital Niamey on Wednesday, leading the African Union Commission Chair to describe their actions as “tantamount to an attempted coup d’etat” – although there have been no reports so far of gunfire.

The would-be plotters have reportedly not gained support from other elements of the military or security forces, but talks to secure the president’s release have been unsuccessful so far.

Following the development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Heads of Government, and EECOWAS condemned the detention of President Bazoum by members of the Presidential Guard.