White House Urges Nigerien Presidential Guards to Release Bazoum

The United States condemns efforts to detain or subvert the functioning of Niger's democratically elected government, national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Wednesday. Kirby urged the release of President Mohamed Bazoum and said there were no discussions so far on the possible evacuation of American citizens. "We specifically urged the elements of the presidential guard to release him (Bazoum) from detention and to refrain from any violence,” said Kirby during a White House briefing Wednesday.