US announces evacuation of part of its embassy in Niger

The United States on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of its “non-essential” personnel at the embassy in Niamey, after the military coup against Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, the State Department announced on Thursday.

The United Kingdom has taken a similar decision, deciding to “temporarily” reduce the staff of its embassy in Niger.

“Because of this development, the State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential government employees at the embassy” along with their families, the government body said.

It said it reduced activities at the US Embassy in Niamey and ceased all daily operations, stressing that they can only intervene in an emergency.

Meanwhile, France evacuated 1,079 of its citizens living in the West African country.