Blinken calls deposed Niger leader ahead of expected US declaration that his overthrow was a coup

By MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called Niger’s deposed President Mohamed Bazoum ahead of an expected decision by the Biden administration to declare his overthrow a coup d’etat. The State Department says Blinken called Bazoum to stress that restoration of a democratically elected government remains the best opportunity for Niger to remain a key partner of the U.S. and others in countering extremism in the region. Officials familiar with the matter say Monday’s call came as the Democratic administration is preparing to make a formal determination that July’s military takeover in the central African nation meets the legal standard for a coup, which typically results in a suspension of all non-humanitarian assistance.