U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday called for the immediate release of Niger's democratically elected head-of-state amid an apparent coup there, APA reports citing ABC News.
Biden released the statement on the 63rd anniversary of Niger's independence from its former colonial ruler, warning that the West African nation is now "facing a grave challenge to its democracy."
"In this critical moment, the United States stands with the people of Niger to honor our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance," Biden said. "The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders. They have expressed their will through free and fair elections -- and that must be respected."
"Defending fundamental democratic values, and standing up for constitutional order, justice and the right of peaceful assembly, are essential to the partnership between Niger and the United States," he added. "I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger's hard-earned democracy."
On July 26, a group of mutinous soldiers led by the commander of Niger's presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, placed Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum and his family under house arrest in the capital of Niamey.
They then announced on Nigerien state television that they have "put an end to the regime" of Bazoum due to "the continuing degradation of the security situation, the bad economic and social governance."
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