Us Supports Ecowas Efforts To Restore Constitutional Order In Niger -- Blinken

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (KUNA) -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the imperative of releasing Nigerien President Mohammad Bazoum and his family from detention.
Speaking to reporters at the State Dept. on Tuesday, Blinken said, "We reiterate the imperative of returning to the constitutional order in Niger.
"We're in strong support of what ECOWAS is doing to achieve exactly those results," he said, referring to the Economic Community of West African States.
"You heard from ECOWAS just a couple of days ago about how they see the path forward and we remain very focused on diplomacy for achieving the results that we want, which is the return to the constitutional order.
"And I believe that there continues to be space for diplomacy in achieving that result.
"The pressure that's been exerted by many countries, including through ECOWAS on the military leaders responsible for disrupting the constitutional order in Nigeria is mounting," Secretary Blinken noted.
"I think they have to take that into account as well as the fact that their actions have isolated them from the region and from the world, as well as the fact that there is a diplomatic path forward under the Constitution that would restore constitutional order.
"That's what we're focused on. As to other steps, you've heard what ECOWAS has said about preparing contingencies, we support what ECOWAS is doing.
"I don't want to get ahead of where we are now or get into any hypotheticals about what may happen in the future. This is a moment to focus intensely on the diplomacy to end this crisis, to restore the constitutional order.
"That's clearly in the best interest of everyone, including those responsible for disrupting the constitutional order," he added. (end)
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