A high-level US official has had direct talks with the military junta that took over Niger last month in a coup that ousted the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.A hi

The US official, Victoria Nuland, the Acting Deputy Secretary of State, said that the discussions were “extremely frank and at times quite difficult”, as the junta leaders show

Nuland visited Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Monday and met with some of the leaders of the coup, which took place on July 26 and overthrew Bazoum

Nuland said that she offered the US help “if there is a desire on the part of the people who are responsible for this to return to the constitutional order”.

However, she said that the junta leaders did not accept the offer and were “quite firm” about their plans, which did not align with the constitution of Niger or the will of the

The US has been a key partner of Niger in fighting terrorism and extremism in the region, providing military and economic assistance.