The United States has announced that it is cutting g of aid worth over $500 million to Niger after a military coup in July that saw the removal of a democratic government.
On July 26, Niger's military deposed and imprisoned the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, a Western partner in the war against jihadist terrorists in the Sahel who had been praised for his democratic credentials by President Joe Biden.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that Any resumption of US assistance will require action by the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland to usher in democratic governance in a quick and credible timeframe.
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The US, other West African states, and former colonial power France had pressed the military to reinstate Bazoum, but without success.
A high-ranking United States official told reporters that they taking this action because, over the last two months, they have exhausted all available avenues to preserve the constitutional order in Niger.
He stated that the coup leaders must restore civilian and democratic authority within 90 to 120 days of declaring an emergency under their terms.
"As time has passed, it's become clear that the CNSP officials we've been dealing with did not want to abide by these constitutional guidelines," the U.S. diplomat stated.
Miller stated that the United States was resuming approximately $200 million previously suspended.
The United States announced the withdrawal of a $442 million package intended to modernize roads and trade channels for agriculture in one of the world's poorest countries through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which promotes developing countries that adhere to democratic ideals.
