The US State Department announced the evacuation of a number of American employees working at its embassy in Niger, and their families.
“In light of developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the department has ordered the temporary departure of non-essential US government employees and their family members from the embassy in Niamey,” said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the ministry, in a statement, noting that the United States “remains committed to it’s relationship with the people of Niger and its democracy, and remains in diplomatic contact at the highest levels.
He added that the embassy will remain open to provide limited services and emergency services to American citizens.
On the other hand, the department warned US citizens not to travel to Niger, and placed its classification of the country as high as possible: “Level 4”.
Several European countries had begun evacuating their nationals from Niger, in light of the military coup that took place in the country last week and overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
Yesterday evening, Tuesday, two planes arrived in Paris and one in Rome, carrying foreign nationals who had been evacuated from Niger, in light of the fear of deteriorating conditions there.
Italy announced the arrival of about 100 people in Rome, on Wednesday, including Italians, after the authorities evacuated them for security reasons, while the European Commission confirmed, on Wednesday, the arrival of about 500 people in the French capital, Paris, on board the first two evacuation flights of foreigners from the capital of Niger, Niamey.
The Commission stated, in a statement, that more flights are being prepared, as France has allocated four planes for its nationals and other foreigners who want to leave Niger.
During the past few days, Niger witnessed violent demonstrations in support of the military coup.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency