US orders evacuation of staff and families from its embassy in Niger

 The United States has ordered the evacuation of some staff and families from its embassy in Niger, a country in West Africa, due to a military coup.

The United States Department of State, an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations, said that the mission will remain open and the officials will continue working from there.

Abdourahamane Tchiani, a Nigerien army brigade general and the commander of the Nigerian presidential guard, overthrew the government of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger.

Matthew Miller, State Department spokesperson, said, “Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the US Department of State has ordered the temporary departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members from the U.S. Embassy in Niamey.”

He also said that the embassy will continue to provide limited emergency assistance to people in Niger. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also assured Niger's ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a phone call that Washington remains committed to the restoration of the country's democratic administration. He reiterated the US support for the people of Niger and for Nigerian democracy. 

The US State Department also advised Americans not to visit Niger following a military coup.

So far, the US has not announced any troop withdrawals from Niger. There are approximately 1,100 US troops in Niger.

Reportedly, the defense ministers from the member states of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) regional bloc met to discuss the situation in Niger. The group imposed sanctions on Niger. The bloc demanded to restore Bazoum’s presidency by August 6. It also sent a delegation to Niger to negotiate with the soldiers who seized power.

However, Niger’s coup leader said he will not reinstate deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. He also criticized the sanctions.