US threatens to exit Niger as Russia's Wagner Group revels in military coup attempt

President Joe Biden has threatened to cut military ties with Niger if a coup against the West African democracy’s incumbent president continues, according to U.S. officials anxious to prevent his bodyguards from holding power.

“We remind those attempting this power grab by force that an overthrow of a democratically elected president ... would place the U.S.’s substantial cooperation with the government of Niger at risk,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Friday. “Specifically, a military takeover may cause the United States to cease security and other cooperation with the government of Niger, jeopardizing existing security and non-security partnerships.”