The US downgraded its military operations in Niger since Gen Tiani and a clutch of senior officers overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum last July (AC Vol 64 No 17 Niamey's junta thumbs its nose)...

Its border with Nigeria had been shut since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum...

But ending sanctions on Niger did not persuade its junta to release ousted President Mohamed Bazoum under strictly enforced house arrest since the coup last July...

Although he repeated the bloc's demand for the release of President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife he did not say this was a condition for scrapping sanctions...

Niger had been in serious talks with Ecowas about a compromise 15-18-month transition to civilian rule although it has yet to agree terms for the release of the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum from confinement...

It should improve the cross-border security collaboration that decayed after Goïta and Traoré's coups put cooperation with now deposed Nigérien President Mohamed Bazoum into the deep-freeze...

This partly explains popular support for military coups in the Sahel which removed pro-western rulers such as Niger's President Mohamed Bazoum...

Rhissa Ag Boula prominent Nigérien Tuareg and former minister under ousted President Mohamed Bazoum who recently launched the Conseil de la Résistance pour la République (CRR) to fight the junta in Niamey has announced the despatch of more than 100 fighters to help defend the Azawad cause in Mali...