The military government in Niger has announced that it has cancelled a military agreement that permits American military members and civilians to be present in Niger.
In 2023, there were approximately 1,100 military personnel from the United States stationed in Niger. They are stationed at two bases, including a drone base named “airbase 201,” which was constructed near Agadez in central Niger. The base cost over US $100 million. Since 2018, the base has been utilized to attack Islamic State fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), a branch of al-Qaida, in the Sahel area.
The announcement from the junta comes after a recent visit from US representatives, headed by Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, and including Gen Michael Langley, head of US Africa command. On Niger television, Col Amadou Abdramane stated that the US delegation did not adhere to proper diplomatic procedures and that Niger was not given prior notice of the delegation’s makeup, arrival date, or objectives.
He stated that the talks focused on the ongoing military transition in Niger, the collaborative efforts between the two nations’ militaries, and Niger’s selection of allies in combating militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
After gaining control in July 2023, the Niger military leaders, similar to those in Mali and Burkina Faso, have removed French and other European troops and have reached out to Russia for assistance.
Abdramane expressed disappointment with the American delegation’s plan to deprive the independent people of Niger of their ability to select suitable alliances and forms of partnerships in their efforts to combat terrorism.
The Niger government strongly expresses their disapproval of the demeaning behavior and intimidating threats made by the leader of the American delegation towards the government and people of Niger.
Abdramane refrained from explicitly stating that the US forces should depart. However, he accused their presence and authority of being unlawful and breaching constitutional and democratic principles, arguing that it was unilaterally enforced in 2012.
According to the agreement, Niger was not informed about the quantity of U.S. civilian and military members present on its territory nor the amount of equipment that was deployed. As per this agreement, the U.S. military was not obligated to offer assistance in case of a request to combat militants.
“In light of the aforementioned details, the Niger government has revoked the agreement on the status of US military members and civilian employees from the American Department of Defense within the borders of Niger,” stated Abdramane.
The request for comment from the US defense department has not yet been addressed.
The United States has not only focused on the Agadez airbase, but also dedicated years and millions of dollars to train Niger’s military. A portion of these troops was responsible for the ousting of Niger’s democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July.
In October, the United States formally labeled the military seizure as a coup, leading to limitations on the assistance and support that it can offer to Niger. However, in December, Phee stated that the US was open to reinstating aid and security relations if Niger fulfills specific requirements.
With Associated Press and Reuters
Source: theguardian.com
