Arrival of New U.S. Ambassador to Niger

The U.S. Department of State announced today, Saturday, the arrival of the new ambassador to Niger, Kathleen Fitzgibbons, in the capital Niamey, but she will not formally present her credentials due to the "current political crisis." State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a statement that Fitzgibbons' arrival in Niger "does not reflect a change in our political stance, but is a response to the need for senior leadership for our mission during a challenging time." He added, "Fitzgibbons' diplomatic focus will be on calling for a diplomatic solution that preserves constitutional order in Niger and the immediate release of President Bazoum, his family, and all those unlawfully detained." The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said on Friday that it has agreed on a non-specified "day of march" for a potential military intervention to restore democratic order in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail.