The head of American diplomacy, Anthony Blinken, said on Thursday that his country supports the action of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French, ECOWAS in English) regarding Niger, without, however, expressly approving the deployment of military force that was decided to her companion in Abuja yesterday.

The regional body is “playing a capital role” in advocating “a return to constitutional order” and “we support its leadership and work” in this crisis, the US secretary of state said.

CEDEAO on Thursday ordered the deployment of a “standby force” of its member states “as soon as possible” to restore constitutional order in Niger.

The organization, which nevertheless stressed that it hopes that a peaceful resolution of the crisis will be reached, did not specify the timetable, nor the size of the “standby force”, nor which countries’ armies will be involved.

In recent days, Washington has repeatedly warned that the use of military force should be a last resort and that the best way to resolve the crisis remains diplomacy.

Mr. Blinken also once again expressed his concern for the health of ousted president Mohamed Bazum, with whom he has spoken by phone more than ten times since the July 26 military coup.

“We are concerned for him and his family, for his safety and for his health,” said the US Secretary of State.

“We told the military leaders [σ.σ. τους πραξικοπηματίες] how we make them responsible for his safety and for his health”, he added.

The Prime Minister of Mr. Bazum, Uhumudu Maamadu, stated a few days ago that the ousted president remains imprisoned together with his wife and son, without electricity and without running water.