Neighbors, UN seek to deescalate Niger tensions

Coup leaders have been rallying citizens for support. Pic/AP

Nigeriens awoke on Tuesday to deepening uncertainty on whether a regional bloc will follow through on its threat to use military force to reinstall ousted President Mohamed Bazoum or if last-minute diplomacy will prevail, nearly two weeks after mutinous soldiers overthrew the country's democratically elected leader.

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS had given the mutinous soldiers until Sunday to release and reinstall Bazoum or they threatened to use force. Members from ECOWAS, the UN and the African Union were expected to join talks in the capital Niamey on Tuesday said a foreign official. Talks are expected throughout the week. ECOWAS is expected to meet again on Thursday in Abuja, the capital of neighboring Nigeria, to discuss the situation.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking to Radio France International on Monday, said diplomacy is the preferred way forward, and he couldn't speculate about the future of 1,100 US military personnel in Niger.

Top US diplomat not allowed to meet prez

Acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said coup leaders in Niger refused to allow her to meet the country's president, whom she described as under "virtual house arrest." Nuland also said that the mutinous officers were unreceptive to US pressure.

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