Niger/Dossier Bazoum: Salem Bazoum’s Provisional Release, Washington Appreciates CNSP’s Humanitarian Gesture

Through a statement dated Tuesday, January 09, 2024, published on the social networks of the United States Embassy in Niger, Washington announced that it had taken note of and appreciated the provisional release of Salem Bazoum, the son of the deposed former president, Mohamed Bazoum. He expressed his wish to see the release of the former president and his relatives also materialize.

Like Togo and Sierra Leone, the United States plays a mediating role between the authorities of Niger and ECOWAS, in order to find a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the current crisis, especially for the relief of heavy sanctions imposed on Nigeriens.

The United States also played a role of guarantor with the Togolese Republic, in the case of withdrawal of French troops from Niger. A process that ended on Friday, December 22, 2023, with the departure of the last French soldiers who were still stationed in Niger.

Washington was one of the first capitals to enact the coup of July 26, 2023 before announcing the gradual resumption of its cooperation with Niger after their relations cooled following the seizure of power by the CNSP. All in all, it is up to the Nigeriens to make decisions favorable to the sovereignty of the Country.

The CNSP has the responsibility to protect Niger from all insecurity and threats, to ensure the recovery of the national territory and the restoration of peace, stability and total sovereignty of the country, to ensure sustainable development, for the development of the Nigerien population.

To do so, appropriate and well-considered decisions must be taken, especially ignoring the proposals that will plunge the dignity and honor of the Nigerien people.

Ly Razak