The Republic of Niger’s new military administration has cut off ties with Nigeria after the efforts of Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) to resolve the ongoing impasse failed.
It also cut off ties with its former colonial master France, Togo, and the United States.
ECOWAS had issued a seven-day ultimatum for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum to avoid possible clash with the junta.
But President Bola Tinubu sent a high-powered delegation to the country to meet with the military leaders, on Thursday.
The delegation led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) only met with representatives of the military government.
Subsequently, Niger severed ties with Nigeria, Togo, France, its colonial master, and the United States of America.
“The functions of the extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors of the Republic of Niger” to France, Nigeria, Togo and the United States are terminated,” Radio France International quoted one of the putschists to have said on national television.
On July 26, Niger’s ousted leader, Bazoum was detained by members of the Presidential Guard, and that evening, the military announced that it had seized power.
Two days after toppling the government of Bazoum, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard, declared himself the head of a transitional government.
Meanwhile, the US has thrown its weight behind the ECOWAS led by the Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, to reinstate Bazoum.
In a statement by the White House on on Thursday, US President, Joe Biden called for the immediate release of Bazoum.
The American leader said the release is essential for defending fundamental democratic values, and standing up for constitutional order, justice, and the right of peaceful assembly, which are foundation to the partnership between Niger and the US.
“I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy.
“The United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” he said in the statement.
But, Italy, through its Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani, said Western military intervention in Niger must be ruled out and avoided.
“We need to rule out any Western military initiative because it would be perceived as a new colonisation,” he told RAI public television on Wednesday.
“We have to work so that democracy prevails in Niger … we need to rule out any Western military initiative because it would be perceived as a new colonisation,” Tajani said.
