EXCLUSIVE: US missionaries stranded in Niger in military coup could be rescued TOMORROW as Biden administration called for slow evacuations

A California church group desperately waiting for the US to evacuate them from Niger says they could be rescued tomorrow after irate members criticized the Biden administration for leaving them stranded.

Members of the Cornerstone Christian Center in Antioch were expected to return to the US this week before a July 26 military coup took over Niger President Mohamed Bazoum and caused chaos in the streets.

The Biden administration has been criticized for its reluctance to evacuate Americans while quickly repatriating many Europeans. The White House ordered only a partial evacuation of its embassy Wednesday, a week after the coup was launched.

School principal Logan Heyer told DailyMail.com exclusively that their hopes for rescue may finally be fulfilled after the group was told they “may” fly home on Friday.

A spokesperson for the State Department told DailyMail.com: “As borders and airport remain closed and commercial flights to and from Niamey are reportedly suspended until August 5, 2023, we are working to facilitate the departure of US citizens from Niger. to ease.’

Maddison, the daughter of Logan Heyer (pictured), is among the group stranded in the African country

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted last week, leading to street chaos and evacuations from several countries

Maria Minor, another member of the church group, and her husband Steve had slammed the White House on Wednesday before news of their “potential” evacuation.

“I really thought the United States would help us,” she said KTVU. “We’ve all been ready, hoping to come back,” she added.

“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions,” said Steve.

Alfonzo Edwards, a member of the church group who has not traveled to Niger, told DailyMail.com he is concerned about his religious “family.”

Heyer (pictured with wife Holly) said the stranded members were ‘confused’ by the delay in their rescue

“I pray that the government will consider their well-being and release them as soon as possible,” he said.

Mass protests broke out on Thursday in the capital Niamey, where the group is stranded, to demonstrate against international sanctions in the wake of the military takeover.

The US has begun evacuating non-essential embassy personnel and their families, but has downplayed the situation by labeling the coup an “attempted coup”.

“(The Biden administration) is certainly aware of efforts by France and other European countries to evacuate their citizens — at the same time, we have no indication of any direct threats to U.S. citizens or to our facilities,” the National Security Council said. That is what spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Heyer’s claim. Officials said they would “possibly” evacuate the group Friday.

While the Biden administration has delivered a muted response to the conflict, several major European countries, including France and Germany, as well as the European Union, announced an end to foreign aid as they ramped up evacuation efforts.

Official evacuation statistics have yet to be confirmed, but Airbus A330s sent by the French evacuated 262 people, including 12 infants, on Tuesday afternoon, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said.

Heyer said the group was “a bit confused” about the delay in rescuing them, which saved dozens of desperate Europeans while US officials refused to follow suit.

He said news of their evacuation could not come soon enough as an 11-year-old member of his church group was struggling after their week-long ordeal in Niger.

“Fortunately they are with their mother, which helps, but they definitely want to go home,” he said. “Day six starts wearing them.”

On Wednesday, government officials issued a level four travel advisory for Niger, warning all US citizens “not to travel to the country.”

Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in a military coup on July 26

The church group traveled to the impoverished country to help build schools, educate local children and boost their economy

Members said they were welcomed with open arms by locals despite the crisis in their country and that they “love the Niger people”

Nigerian security forces clashed with pro-junta protesters, pictured outside the French embassy on July 30, 2023

Heyer said the compound where his group stayed during their weeks of waiting for rescue is “safe,” but government officials ordered them to avoid the area around the French and US embassies as they are particularly dangerous.

“They’re in the capital Niamey, but they’re on the outskirts,” he said.

“They’ve told us to stay out of that area…those seem to be the areas most focused on.”

Alfonzo Edwards, pictured with his wife Nikki, said he was confident his church “family” will be safe as it is “part of God’s plan”

Heyer said the religious group was in contact with Senator Diane Feinstein and Congressman John Garimendi to support their evacuation, with Garimendi saying in a statement Wednesday: “My team is working closely with the State Department and voters to get them home safely.” to get.

“However, I am unable to share additional details at this time due to operational security concerns.”

Heyer said the violence seen in the streets of Niger in recent days was worrying, but stressed that ordinary people were “very accepting” of the group and did not feel attacked amid the chaos.

“They love the people of Niger and they have a good relationship with the local people,” he said. “There’s not really any animosity going out to the people, it sounds like the animosity is directed at the members of the coup.”

Edwards said the group “have kept doing what they set out to do,” cleaning and painting a local school as the coup erupts nearby.

Maria Minor (right), a member of the church group stranded in the war-torn country, said she and her husband Steve “really thought the United States would help us”

Supporters of the military coup hold a Russian flag in protest against the sanctions that broke out in the capital Niamey on August 3, 2023

Coups are far from uncommon for the region. Niger’s neighboring countries, Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea, have suffered five military coups in the past three years.

The country has been occupied by about 1,100 US troops and 1,500 French troops to quell a wave of Islamist terrorism in the region.

Thanks to more than $2.2 billion in foreign aid supporting the economy, the coup has become increasingly important to West African diplomacy as neighboring countries signal their readiness to join the conflict.

While the US State Department has ordered the evacuation of all non-essential embassy personnel and their families, Marines guarding the embassy will remain in the area, officials said Thursday.

The body said the embassy’s Marine Security Guard group “will remain there to work with the Diplomatic Security Service to assist with the embassy’s security duties.”

While the Pentagon has said it is not changing its military stance on the conflict, State Department officials said Wednesday issued a level four “do not travel” warning to the nation.