Blinken Contacts Former Niger President Issoufou

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a call on Friday to former Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou and expressed his deep concern over the continued detention of current President Mohamed Bazoum and his family. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Blinken reaffirmed to the former president the United States' ongoing commitment to work towards a peaceful resolution that ensures Niger remains a strong partner in security and development in the region.