US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has contacted the beleaguered President of Niger Mohamed Bazoum affirming Washington’s unwavering support for his leadership of the African nation.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement, late on Friday, that the Secretary of State spoke by phone with Bazoum and former president, Mohamadou Issoufou.

Blinken reiterated to President Bazoum the United States?’ unflagging support and emphasized the importance of his continuing leadership in Niamey. He praised Bazoum?’s role in promoting security not only in Niger but the wider West Africa region.

Secretary Blinken underscored that the United States will continue to work to ensure the full restoration of constitutional order and democratic rule in Niger.

He expressed grave concern to former President Issoufou that democratically elected President Bazoum remains in detention and that negotiations to ensure constitutional order in Niger were at an impasse.

The Secretary regretted that those detaining Bazoum were threatening years of successful cooperation and hundreds of millions of dollars of assistance that support the Nigerien people. He asked former President Issoufou to continue efforts to resolve the situation in favor of the civilian-led democratically elected government.

Bazoum is reportedly held against his will at his palace by military officers, amid an armed rebellion by military forces that have seized some government buildings.

Source: Kuwait News Agency