United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the immediate release of Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum after a group of soldiers claimed to have deposed him. "We condemn any efforts to seize power by force. We're actively engaged with the Nigerien government, but also with partners in the region and around the world, and will continue to do so until the situation is resolved appropriately and peacefully," Blinken said.
Blinken declined to describe the incident as a coup, stating that it is "for the lawyers to say" but he characterized it as an "effort to seize power by force and to disrupt the constitution." He also pointed out that democratic governance in Niger is necessary for the continuation of US aid to the country.
