Niger Coup: US govt commences evacuation of citizens

Niger Coup: US govt commences evacuation of citizens

The United States of America declared that it had ordered the temporary departure of non-emergency employees in Niger and their families.

In a statement by Matthew Miller, a Department of State spokesperson, the U.S. said: “Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey.”

The U.S. also updated its travel advisory, urging its citizens not to travel to the country.

The statement also stressed that the U.S. has no higher priority than the safety and security of its citizens overseas, including U.S. government personnel serving abroad.

Although the embassy in Niger remains open, it will only attend to limited and emergency services for U.S. citizens as routine consular services are suspended.

Miller also stressed that the U.S. remains committed to its relationship with the people of Niger and Nigerien democracy.

Reiterating the U.S.’s position on the coup, Miller declared that the U.S. rejects all efforts to overturn Niger’s constitutional order, and stands with the people of the country, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, and other international partners in support of democratic governance and respect for the rule of law and human rights.