United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
October 26, 2021
Readout of Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Meetings with Nigerien Government Officials
The below is attributable to U.S. Mission to the United Nations Acting Spokesperson Jalina Porter:
U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield met today with Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum, Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massaoudou, Minister of National Defense Alkassoum Indatou, and General Abdou Tarka, President of Niger’s High Authority for the Consolidation of Peace (HACP).
In her meeting with President Bazoum and Foreign Minister Massaoudou, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the United States’ commitment to helping our Nigerien partners protect civilians from violence and terrorism while they work to address the governance and development challenges driving conflict in the Sahel, as well as to combat climate change. She thanked Niger for its strong partnership in the United Nations Security Council and noted that the United States looks forward to Niger’s presidency of the UNSC and participation in the Summit for Democracy in December. All agreed to encourage timely democratic transitions in Chad, Mali, and Guinea, and they discussed the crisis in Sudan.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and Minister of National Defense Indatou discussed the strong defense partnership between the United States and Nigerien armed forces, key allies and team members in the fight against violent extremism in Africa. She also thanked Niger for its contribution to UN Peacekeeping forces across Africa.
In her meeting with General Tarka, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield discussed U.S.-Niger cooperation to protect civilians from violent extremist groups. She reiterated that the HACP is a critical institution to the improvement of the lives of citizens living in zones of insecurity in Niger, and the prevention of violent extremists from creating divisions among the people of Niger.
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