Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP
Passengers queue outside Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on August 2, as part of an evacuation by France. AFP

US orders evacuation of non-essential embassy staff from Niger


Patrick deHahn
  • English
  • Arabic

The US State Department on Thursday announced a withdrawal of non-emergency staff and their families from its embassy in Niger's capital Niamey because of instability after the coup.

"Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US embassy in Niamey," spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

Last week, members of the Nigerien military claimed control of the country's institutions and installed its own leader, overthrowing the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

It was the seventh military takeover in less than three years for the West and Central Africa region.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Mr Bazoum by phone, Mr Miller said in a separate statement.

"We reiterate that the safety and security of President Bazoum and his family are paramount," he said.

"The United States is dedicated to finding a peaceful resolution that ensures that Niger remains a strong partner in security and development in the region."

Earlier, Mr Miller said the evacuation was to protect "safety and security" of US citizens and government staff while "commercial flight options are limited".

France sent its first evacuation flight on Tuesday, on which people from several European states travelled. It has since sent two more, and a fourth is reportedly planned.

An Italian military plane with 99 passengers arrived in Rome from Niger on Wednesday and other countries are considering sending flights for additional nationals seeking to leave Niger.

The US embassy will continue to be "open for limited, emergency services for US citizens", Mr Miller said, while the government's travel advisory has raised its threat level to "Do not travel".

"We are only able to provide emergency assistance to US citizens in Niger given our reduced personnel."

The US has said it is in communication with military members now leading the country, and its newly appointed ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon is set to arrive in Niamey soon.

"The United States remains committed to our relationship with the people of Niger and to Nigerien democracy," Mr Miller said. "We remain diplomatically engaged at the highest levels."

Niger evacuation flights land in Europe - in pictures

  • Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
    Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
  • French and other European citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reuters
    French and other European citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Reuters
  • Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani greets passengers at Rome's Ciampino Airport. EPA
    Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani greets passengers at Rome's Ciampino Airport. EPA
  • Raissa Kalembho, who was visiting her husband with their children in Niger, speaks to journalists after landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. EPA
    Raissa Kalembho, who was visiting her husband with their children in Niger, speaks to journalists after landing at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. EPA
  • The first evacuation flight arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday morning. Reuters
    The first evacuation flight arrived at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on Wednesday morning. Reuters
  • Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup board a bus after landing at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
    Italian, other European and US citizens evacuated from Niger after the military coup board a bus after landing at Rome's Ciampino Airport. Reuters
  • A man evacuated from Niger speaks to journalists at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. AFP
    A man evacuated from Niger speaks to journalists at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. AFP
Essentials

The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours 
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.

Museum of the Future in numbers
  •  78 metres is the height of the museum
  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Updated: August 03, 2023, 6:06 AM