00:00 Despite the intransigence of Niger's military leaders, the US said diplomacy was the preferred
00:06 way of pushing them to reverse the coup, as they threatened to cut hundreds of millions
00:11 of dollars in military assistance and aid for the country.
00:15 "We, like other countries, are trying to use diplomacy to ensure that constitutional order
00:22 is restored.
00:23 The interruption of this constitutional order puts us and many other countries in a position
00:29 where we have to stop our aid, our support, and this will not benefit the people of Niger."
00:36 The US says it spent around $500 million since 2012 to help boost security in Niger.
00:43 Washington and its allies consider the country to be at the centre of efforts to fight terrorist
00:48 organisations in the region.
00:50 It's estimated the United States has around 1,100 troops in the country, stationed across
00:55 two bases, as well as an outpost just outside Nyamey, with their primary mission training
01:00 and supporting local Nigerian forces.
01:04 But a question mark hangs over the US troops' continued presence.
01:08 Washington fears that if it withdraws, Niger, following in the footsteps of several of its
01:13 neighbours, will turn to Russia and its Wagner mercenaries.
01:17 But current US efforts to negotiate with Niger's coup leaders have proved futile so far.
01:23 After meeting with them on Monday, the second-ranking US diplomat Victoria Nuland described talks
01:28 as "at times quite difficult".
01:31 She said the military leaders refused to allow her to meet with deposed President Vazoum
01:36 and said they were unreceptive to her appeals to start negotiations and restore constitutional
01:41 rule.
