- Niger suspends US military accord
- US delegation visit criticized
- Niger condemns US threats
In a strike against U.S. security interests in the region, Niger has suspended its military agreement with the United States “with immediate effect,” according to the ruling army spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane.
The accord granted authorization for the deployment of U.S. military and civilian defence personnel from Niger, a country that houses a significant airbase and is instrumental in the U.S. military’s operations in the Sahel region of Africa.
The decision was made public on Saturday, following a visit by senior U.S. officials to the West African nation earlier this week to discuss democratic transition. US Africa Command head General Michael Langley and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee headed the visit.
Abdramane stated on local television that the United States delegation disregarded diplomatic protocol and that Niger was not notified of the delegation’s composition, arrival date, or agenda.
Abdramane stated, “Niger deeply laments the American delegation’s intention of obstructing the sovereign Nigerien people’s ability to select their partners and the types of alliances that can most effectively assist them in their fight against terrorism.”
In December, the United States military stationed approximately 650 personnel in Niger, according to a report from the White House to Congress. Approximately 920 kilometres (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, the United States military maintains a significant airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, where it conducts piloted and uncrewed surveillance flights, among other activities.
Near Agadez, Air Base 201, a drone base, was constructed at over $100 million. Targeting ISIL (ISIS) combatants and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region has been an ongoing operation from the base since 2018.
“A tremendous blow to the United States”
Shihab Rattansi, DC, described the action as “a catastrophic setback for the United States.”
“Niger serves as the epicentre of United States operations in west and north Africa, most notably at Air Base 201, the most costly infrastructure development ever attempted by the United States.” While its official purpose may be to counter-terror operations, its true intention is to project tremendous power against countries such as Russia and China.
Washington formally classified the military seizure as a coup in October last year. However, upon Niger fulfilling specific conditions, the United States was willing to restore aid and security ties, according to Phee, the top U.S. envoy for Africa, in December.
The military reported that the delegation accused Niger of “secret” agreements in which it collaborated with Russia and Iran; the government refutes these allegations. Officials further stated that the United States “threatened” Niger with retaliatory measures should it fail to sever ties with both nations.
Abdramane, a spokesman for the military government, added, “The military government vehemently condemns the condescending attitude and threat of retaliation directed at the Nigerien government and people by the head of the American delegation.”
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A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to the Reuters news agency, stated that earlier this week in Niamey, the officials had “frank discussions” regarding the trajectory of the governing military council of Niger, also known by its French acronym CNSP.
The official continued, “We are communicating with the CNSP and will provide additional updates as necessary.”
Since July 2023, when an elite guard force headed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and proclaimed the military had governed Tchiani’s ruler, Niger.
Niger, similar to the military regimes that ruled adjacent Mali and Burkina Faso, has expelled European and French forces. Mali and Burkina Faso have both sought assistance from Russia.
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