spot_imgspot_img
Thursday, May 15, 2025

TOP US OFFICIAL TRAVELED TO NIGER AND HELD ‘DIFFICULT’ TALKS WITH JUNTA OFFICIALS

Date:

WASHINGTON, REUTERS) – U.S. State Department’s acting No. 2 traveled to Niger and held talks on Monday with senior officials from the country’s junta which seized power last month, but made no progress in meetings she described as “difficult”.

U.S. Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland was in Niamey, she told reporters in a call, and met with Moussa Salaou Barmou, the self-proclaimed defense chief of Niger’s junta and three other colonels supporting him.

Washington offered ways to restore democratic order, Nuland said, but the junta officials showed little interest. The U.S. side conveyed what is at stake in terms of economic assistance and other aid if the situation is not reversed, she added.

“These conversations were extremely frank and at times quite difficult, because, again, we’re pushing for a negotiated solution. It was not easy to get traction there. They are quite firm in their view of how they want to proceed, and it does not comport with the Constitution of Niger,” Nuland said.

“It was difficult today and I will be straight up about that.”

Nuland spoke two hours with Barmou and his team and there were some side conversations. Her requests to meet with ousted president Mohamed Bazoum or with junta leader Abdourahamane Tiani were not granted.

The coup, the seventh in West and Central Africa in three years, has rocked the Sahel region, one of the poorest in the world. Given its uranium and oil riches and its pivotal role in a war with Islamist militants, Niger holds importance for the U.S., Europe, China and Russia.

Landlocked Niger is more than twice the size of France and many flight paths across Africa would normally pass above it.

It was unclear how or when any further negotiations with the junta officials would continue.

“This was a first conversation in which the United States was offering its good offices. If there is a desire on the part of the people who are responsible for this to return to constitutional order, we are prepared to help with that, we are prepared to help address concerns on all sides. I would not say that we were in any way taken up on that offer but I hope that they will think about it,” Nuland said.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has sent military forces into troubled member states in the past, had told the junta to stand down by Sunday, but coup leaders instead closed Niger’s airspace and pledged to defend the country.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

SENATE RESUMES WITH FOCUS ON REFORM, OVERSIGHT, AND RESOURCE GOVERNANCE

MONROVIA – The President Pro Tempore of the Liberian...

ARCELOR MITTAL AFFECTED COMMUNITIES ISSUE 72-HOUR ULTIMATUM, REJECT COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE PARTICIPATION

BUCHANAN, GRAND BASSA COUNTY – Residents from communities affected...

POLICE UNDER FIRE FOR MISHANDLING INVESTIGATION INTO MYSTERIOUS DEATH AT PHEBE HOSPITAL COMPOUND

By Nukanah Kollie PHEBE, BONG COUNTY — The Liberia National...

‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’: PROTEST SPOKESMAN ACCUSES BOAKAI OF BETRAYAL AND CORRUPTION

MONROVIA — In a statement issued Tuesday, May 13,...

STUDENTS AT SINJE CAMPUS PUSH FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES DURING UL PRESIDENT’S VISIT

SINJE, GRAND CAPE MOUNT COUNTY – University of Liberia...

LIBERIA’S LEADERS MUST REJECT DANGEROUS RHETORIC BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

Liberia's hard-won peace must not be endangered by reckless...

LIBERIA’S DEMOCRACY FACES A CRITICAL MOMENT

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Bill of Information...

A COMMENDABLE PLEDGE, BUT DEEDS MUST MATCH WORDS

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s address at the First Annual...

COMMENTARY

WHY FOLLOW A PR STRATEGY TO OVERCOME CRISES AND MAINTAIN BRAND VISIBILITY

Courtesy of Martin Blayon, an experienced Public Relations Specialist Misinformation...

THE LASTING LEGACY OF PRINCE JOHNSON’S DEATH AND THE PATH FORWARD FOR LIBERIA

By Lyndon J. Ponnie, Sr. The passing of former Liberian...

PRES. BOAKAI’S LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND LIBERIA’S POLITICAL CRISIS

-A Commentary Joseph Boakai's failure to lead has once again...

LATEST NEWS

BOAKAI’S ONE-TERM PROBLEM: CORRUPTION AND COSTLY GOVERNANCE BLUNDERS

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Senator Edwin Snowe’s recent statement, declaring...

FRAUD ALLEGATIONS AGAINST REVEREND NIMELY INCREASE, TOTAL OF 130 VICTIMS REPORTED

MONROVIA – Tensions are rising as an additional 40...

TREASURY SANCTIONS SENIOR LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FOR PUBLIC CORRUPTION

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

USING THE PAST TO INFORM THE PRESENCE AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

My birthday message to the people of Liberia As I...

HOR IN UPROAR AS EMBATTLED SPEAKER KOFFA’S INFLUENCE EXPOSES GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES

By Socrates Smythe Saywon, Sr. Liberia’s political scene is currently...

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link