None other than acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland appeared in Niger, where she held what she said were “difficult” discussions with Niger’s military leaders.
According to Germany’s ZDF broadcasters, Nuland held talks with armed forces chief of staff Moussa Salao Barmou and three other members of the military junta. Nuland described the conversation as “very frank and at times quite difficult.”
Nuland blustered about the consequences for relations with the United States if democratic order is not restored. She pointed out that aid to Niger had already been frozen. If this was a threat, the military was not impressed, since they refused her request to see President Mohamed Bazoum and she had to make do with a telephone discussion. She was also denied the request to meet with interim President, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
