August 16, 2023
1 min read

US Prioritises diplomacy for Niger coup: Blinken

Blinken’s remarks came at a time when tensions continued to build up in and around the west African nation….reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the US is still “very focused on diplomacy” as the tool to solve the ongoing political crisis in Niger resulting from an attempted coup by a junta.

“We remain very focused on diplomacy for achieving the results that we want, which is the return to the constitutional order,” Blinken told reporters during a press briefing at the State Department, adding that he believed there continues to be space for diplomacy in achieving that result.

Blinken’s remarks came at a time when tensions continued to build up in and around the west African nation. A regional bloc announced on Thursday the activation and deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in Niger, Xinhua news agency reported.

The decision was made by the presidents and senior officials of member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as they concluded a summit meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, to address the situation in Niger.

Blinken said that the US still considers it “imperative” that the coup leaders in Niger release the country’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum, and his family from detention, and that Niger should return to constitutional order.

To that end, the US is “in strong support of what ECOWAS is doing”, he said.

As for whether Washington would support the use of force threatened by ECOWAS, Blinken said he would not “get ahead of where we are now or get into any hypotheticals about what may happen in the future”.

ALSO READ: US-India ties deeper, more expansive than ever, says Blinken

Previous Story

FFI launches call for Indian films to compete at 96th Oscars

Next Story

Mahindra’s new electric SUV: vision Thar.e breaks cover

Latest from -Top News

Von der Leyen Faces Twin No-Confidence Votes

The two bids have one common thread which is criticism over the European Union-US trade deal and the disfavourable terms it has placed on European exporters….reports Asian Lite News European Commission President

India-EU Trade Talks Resume

The proposed India-EU FTA covers 23 policy areas, or chapters, of which at least two – market access and rules of origin – have yet to be resolved….reports Asian Lite News India

India Launches Relief Ops in Bhutan

The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army…reports Asian Lite News Amid unprecedented floods caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, relentless rainfall has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India open to FTA talks with Africa, says Goyal

Piyush Goyal emphasised on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards

It’s time to stop misleading world on Taiwan, China tells US

Chinese Spokesperson Mao Ning made tremarks in response to US