JUST IN: US acknowledges Niger coup, suspends assistance to govt

In a statement on Tuesday Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the state department, said, “The United States has concluded that a military coup d’etat has taken place in Niger. Pursuant to section 7008 of the Department of State’s annual appropriations act, the United States is suspending most U.S. assistance to the government of Niger.

“On August 5, the United States temporarily paused certain foreign assistance programs to the government of Niger, totaling nearly $200 million. That assistance is now also suspended pursuant to section 7008 of the Department of State’s annual appropriations act.