Biden evacuates Niger embassy despite Pentagon claiming no threat
Biden's State Department announced Wednesday that it is evacuating non-emergency personnel from its Niger embassy after the country's government was overthrown last week.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized the move after speaking with ousted Niger President Mohamed Bazoum last week.
Joe Biden Evacuates Niger Embassy — Third of His Tenure — After Pentagon Says No Threat https://t.co/1grGuhVxrT
— AvaArmstrong, 🇺🇸Author (@MsAvaArmstrong) August 3, 2023
The threat
"The announcement that Washington would begin withdrawing staffers from its embassy in Niger comes two days after the Pentagon claimed that no 'imminent threat against any U.S. personnel or American citizens' existed in the country," Breitbart News reported.
"The head of the coup 'Council,' former leader of the presidential guard Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, has not overtly attacked the United States or expressed any desire to sever diplomatic ties, though he has encouraged outside actors not to intervene on Bazoum’s behalf," it added.
US announces partial evacuation of embassy in Niger https://t.co/LHkeM2xQYT
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 3, 2023
Some workers remain
"Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that, despite the partial evacuation, the country's embassy in capital Niamey would remain open," the BBC reported.
"We remain committed to the people of Niger and our relationship with the people of Niger and we remain diplomatically engaged at the highest levels," he said.
Marines to stay at US Embassy in Niger amid evacuations https://t.co/VBG2Mbnz9l
— A Distinguished Field Marshal ⚡️ (@General_Oluchi) August 3, 2023
Marines also present
"The embassy’s Marine Security Guard detachment 'will remain there working with the Diplomatic Security Service to assist with embassy security duties,' as the building will stay open for limited emergency services for U.S. citizens," a department spokesperson told The Hill.
"The Pentagon, meanwhile, said earlier Thursday that there are 'no changes' to military force posture in the West African country, where military leaders supporting Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani last week took over the democratically elected government and arrested Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, declaring Tchiani head of state," it added.
The embassy's partial evacuation is the third under the Biden administration. The first involved leaving Afghanistan as part of the Biden administration's controversial military departure from the country, leaving it under Taliban rule.
The U.S. also left its embassy in Sudan earlier this year after a violent civil conflict in the nation.
The situation in Niger has grown more concerning, with now yet another nation with an uprising for the U.S. to address.
