The junta in Niger has decided to terminate a military agreement that permitted the deployment of US personnel in the country.
The announcement was made on Saturday, coinciding with a delegation from Washington being in Niamey for discussions with the country’s military leadership.
The US had utilized its base in Niger to monitor jihadist activity in the region. This recent decision by the junta, in power since last July, comes amid closer ties with Russia and follows the expulsion of French troops in December.
Niger’s military spokesperson, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, declared on national television, “The US presence on the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal and violates all the constitutional and democratic rules, which would require the sovereign people to be consulted on the installation of a foreign army on its territory.”
Colonel Abdramane also alleged that the US delegation had accused Niger of making a secret deal to supply uranium to Iran.
He described the accusation as “cynical” and “reminiscent of the second Iraq war”.
Colonel Abdramane also indicated that the US had raised concerns about Niger’s choice of allies.
He stated, “The government of Niger strongly condemns the condescending attitude, along with the threat of reprisals by the head of the American delegation against the government and the people of Niger.”
In reference to Niger’s governing military council, known by the initials CNSP, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on X.
They are “aware of the statement… which follows frank discussions at senior levels in Niamey this week about our concerns with the CNSP’s trajectory.
They are in touch with the CNSP and will provide further updates as warranted.”
It is believed that there are at least 650 US personnel currently in Niger.
In 2016, the US commenced investing approximately $100 million (£79 million) in a drone base situated in the central city of Agadez, positioned 750 kilometres (460 miles) northeast of Niamey.
The base was utilised for surveillance and targeting operations against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked militants operating across the broader Sahel region.
Jihadist activity in the Sahel has sparked instability in numerous countries.
This instability has resulted in coups in two neighbouring states of Niger – Mali and Burkina Faso. Consequently, the three countries have formed a military alliance.
In July of last year, the Nigerien army overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, citing the deteriorating security situation.
Subsequently, amid growing resentment towards its former colonial power, France, French troops, who had been assisting in the fight against jihadists, departed the country in December.
Initially, the junta seemed to adopt a more lenient stance towards the US, but this attitude has since shifted.
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