The Biden Administration wants the U.S. forces to stay in Niger. As of writing, officials are searching for ways to keep the presence of American forces and assets in the West African country.
Biden Admin Wants US Forces to Stay in Niger
According to CNN Politics, administration officials are looking for ways how to maintain U.S. forces and assets in Niger.
They want to do this to ensure that anti-terror operations continue in the country, even though the military junta is unlike to give back the power to the democratic president, Mohamed Bazoum.
As of writing, the National Security Council hasn't confirmed what decisions the U.S. government could make.
But, a spokesperson said that any action taken will be in accordance with U.S. law.
"While we continue to give diplomacy a chance and continue force protection measures for US personnel and facilities, our force posture in Niger has not changed," said the NSC official.
The spokesperson added that they are still evaluating the next steps in service of both democratic and security goals.
Some Biden Admin officials said that the presence of U.S. forces is important in Niger to tackle terrorism.
They added that Nigerian military leaders also haven't shown anti-American sentiment or even asked the United States to leave the country.
West African Bloc ECOWAS Prepared to Intervene
Protesters hold a Niger flag during a demonstration on independence day in Niamey on August 3, 2023. Hundreds of people backing the coup in Niger gathered on August 3, 2023, for a mass rally in the capital Niamey with some brandishing giant Russian flags.
Reuters reported that the West African bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is now ready to intervene in Niger.
Officials said that if diplomatic efforts fail to reverse the coup in the country, they will definitely take action to help restore the president's power.
"Let no one be in doubt that if everything else fails, the valiant forces of West Africa...are ready to answer to the call of duty," explained Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security.
The official promised that the constitutional order in Niger will be restored by all means available.
West Africa values Niger because of its strategic importance as a hub for foreign troops, which are involved in the fight against Islamist insurgents in the Sahel region.
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