” These discussions were extremely frank and at times quite difficult “: in her press conference by telephone, Victoria Nuland did not try to hide the content of her exchanges in Niamey with the soldiers who took power on July 26.
The number two of the acting American diplomacy indicated having met the brigadier general Moussa Salaou Barmou, new chief of staff of the army, and other officials. But she was unable to speak with the head of the military in power, General Abdourahamane Tianinor with the overthrown president, mohamed bazoumwhich is still sequestered by the putschists.
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” Hope they keep a door open for diplomacy »
Victoria Nuland said she proposed ” many options to put an end to the coup, as well as the good offices ” the United States ” whether there was a desire on the part of officials to return to constitutional order “. ” I wouldn’t say this offer was considered in any way “, she acknowledged, before adding: “ I hope they keep one open door to diplomacy. We made this proposal to them. We will see. »
This visit followed that earlier in the day of Malian Colonel Abdoulaye Maïga, representing Bamako and Ouagadougou, allies of Niamey. The American diplomat specified that General Barmou was well aware of the existing cooperation between Niger and the United States, due to his past involvement in the special forces.
” The people who made this decision (of the coup) understand very well the risks to their sovereignty posed by an invitation from Wagner “, declared Victoria Nulan, in reference to the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, present in particular in neighboring Mali. According to her, the putschists are aware of the ” risks of an alliance with Russia.
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(with AFP)