United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has finally spoken to ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum.
In a statement on Wednesday, Blinken said they discussed the US efforts to ensure a peaceful resolution to the crisis in the country is arrived at.
He reiterated the United State's call for his immediate release as well as that of his family.
"Spoke to Nigerien President Bazoum to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis. The United States reiterates our call for the immediate release of him and his family," Blinken said.
Spoke to Nigerien President Bazoum to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis. The United States reiterates our call for the immediate release of him and his family.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 9, 2023
The takes came a day after acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland said she held face-to-face talks with Niger's military leaders following last month's coup.
Nuland said the conversations had been "extremely frank and at times quite difficult".
Washington insists the coup can still be ended diplomatically and President Mohamed Bazoum reinstated but has suspended aid payments in the meantime.
West African countries are set to meet on Thursday to discuss the crisis.
Ecowas-a trading bloc of 15 West African states had issued a 23:00 GMT Sunday deadline to Niger's junta leaders to stand down and restore the elected president.
The coup leaders responded to a threat of military action from the bloc by closing Niger's airspace.
Bazoum was ousted on July 23, by the head of the Presidential guard, Abdourahamane Tchiani.
