US and Europe Urge Niger's Military Government to Restore Power to Elected Government

The United States and the European Union urged Niger's military government, which seized power in a coup last week, to restore ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power. Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, stated in a statement on Monday that Bazoum must be restored to power without delay. According to the English section of Voice of America, Borrell supported the actions of the 'Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS), which imposed sanctions on the coup leaders in Niger on Sunday. ECOWAS gave the coup leaders one week to relinquish power or face consequences, including 'the use of force.' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also welcomed what he called the strong leadership of ECOWAS in 'defending constitutional order in Niger' and stated that the United States joins calls for the immediate release of Bazoum and the restoration of Niger's democratically elected government. According to Reuters, Niger's military government accused France on Sunday evening of planning to launch a rescue operation for Bazoum. Britain also condemned efforts to undermine democracy in Niger. Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, is heavily dependent on foreign aid. The presidential guard's coup against Mohamed Bazoum has been condemned by the US, the African Union, and France. Supporters of the military government in Niger shouted Putin's name and set the French embassy on fire.