Niamey, Niger – The junta in Niger has made a significant decision to terminate a military agreement that previously permitted US personnel to be stationed within the country. This announcement comes at a crucial point following talks between a US delegation and the Nigerien military leadership just days ago.
The United States had been utilizing its base in Niger for the purpose of monitoring regional jihadist activities. However, the recent move by the junta, which has been in power since July of last year, indicates a shift towards closer ties with Russia and the expulsion of French troops in December.
In a bold statement aired on national television, Niger’s military spokesperson Col Amadou Abdramane expressed that the presence of US forces in the country was deemed illegal and in violation of constitutional and democratic norms. Col Abdramane also rebuked the US delegation’s allegation of Niger engaging in a covert deal with Iran to supply uranium, likening the claim to tactics employed during the second Iraq war.
Moreover, the military spokesperson claimed that the US had objections over Niger’s choice of allies, leading to a contentious exchange between the American delegation and the Nigerien government. In response, a US State Department spokesperson acknowledged the situation, mentioning ongoing discussions with the Nigerien governing military council to address concerns. As tensions escalate, questions loom over the fate of the 650 US personnel currently stationed in Niger.
Since 2016, the US has invested approximately $100 million in a drone base located in Agadez for surveillance and targeting operations against Islamic State and al-Qaeda-linked militants in the wider Sahel region. The rise in jihadist activities across the Sahel region has not only destabilized Niger but also prompted military coups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, leading to the formation of a military alliance among the three countries.
Last July, Niger’s elected President was ousted by the military citing deteriorating security conditions. The junta’s shifting stance towards the US, coupled with closer ties to Russia, underscores a geopolitical realignment in the region. As Niger seeks to bolster its military capabilities in the fight against terrorism, the implications of severing ties with the US and aligning with Russia remain to be seen.