On Saturday, thousands of demonstrators in Niger’s capital demanded the prompt withdrawal of US soldiers from the north, following the announcement by the military junta in Niamey that it was terminating a military agreement with Washington.
The agreement, dating back to 2012, was deemed “unilaterally imposed” by the United States after a July coup in the West African country.
Among the protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly Headquarters in Niamey were students and several prominent figures associated with the military regime.
During the protest, the crowd voiced chants such as “Down with American imperialism” and “The people’s liberation is on the march”.
While French troops were expelled from the country by the end of 2023, approximately 1,000 American soldiers remain stationed in Agadez city in the north.
Niger announced in late March that the US would submit a proposal to “disengage” its soldiers from the country.
Although Washington declined to comment directly, it stated that it had contacted Niger to seek clarification.
“They said they (the Americans) were going to leave, so let them leave in peace and quickly,” shouted Sheikh Ahmadou Mamoudou, a prominent religious leader, during the demonstration.
Flags from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Russia were prominently displayed, although organizers urged demonstrators not to use slogans insulting the US or burn its flags.
In March, Niger joined neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in forming a joint force to combat the persistent jihadist rebellions in the region.
These countries have distanced themselves from their former colonizer, France, and bolstered their relations with Russia.
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