The United States President, Joe Biden, on Thursday, called for the immediate release of Niger’s elected president Mohamed Bazoum and the preservation of the country’s democracy.

“I call for President Bazoum and his family to be immediately released, and for the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” Mr Biden said.

“In this critical moment, the United States stands with the people of Niger to honour our decades-long partnership rooted in shared democratic values and support for civilian-led governance,” he added.

“The Nigerien people have the right to choose their leaders,” Mr Biden said. “ They have expressed their will through free and fair elections — and that must be respected.”

Mr Bazoum was ousted last week by his own presidential guards, who also suspended the constitution and named the chief of the presidential guards, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the Head of State.

The military coup has been condemned by the United States, European Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations.

Ecowas leaders gave the military junta in Niger a one-week ultimatum to restore Bazoum to power or face possible military intervention.

Mr Bazoum was elected in 2021 after winning the general elections in Niger’s first peaceful transition of power.