State Dept. intends to keep US Embassy open in Niger amid military coup

State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said the United States plans to keep its embassy open in Niger while the government makes its final decision on evacuating U.S. personnel. Nigerian military officials detained President Mohamed Bazoum and seized power of the government on July 26. The Biden administration has resisted labeling the military takeover a “coup” as doing so could end U.S. humanitarian and economic aid to the country.