US. Relations with Former African Ally Sour as Crisis Intensifies
Diplomatic and military relations between the United States and the West African nation of Niger have reached a critical juncture, signaling a significant downturn over the weekend.
In a televised statement, a spokesperson for Niger’s junta announced on Saturday that the presence of the U.S. military in the country is no longer deemed necessary. This declaration came following intensive discussions held earlier in the week between Nigerien officials and representatives from the U.S. diplomatic and military sectors.
Niger holds a pivotal role in the U.S. military’s operations in the Sahel region of Africa and is home to a major airbase. The U.S. has expressed growing concerns about the escalating jihadist violence in the region, with several local factions pledging allegiance to extremist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
However, the spokesperson for the junta, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, refrained from explicitly calling for the expulsion of U.S. forces. Instead, he announced the suspension of military cooperation with Washington and denounced recent unauthorized U.S. flights over Niger’s airspace.
In recent years, the U.S. military has established a significant presence in Niger, notably operating a major airbase in the city of Agadez, situated approximately 920 kilometers (550 miles) from the capital, Niamey. This base serves as a critical hub for manned and unmanned surveillance flights, among other strategic operations.
Moreover, the United States has made substantial investments over the years, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, in training Niger’s military. However, some elements of the Nigerien military were implicated in the ousting of the country’s democratically elected president, Mohammed Bazoum, in July.
Washington officially classified the takeover as a coup d’état in October, triggering legal restrictions on military support and aid to Niger. Nevertheless, in December, Molly Phee, the top U.S. envoy for Africa, expressed willingness to restore aid and security ties provided Niger met certain conditions.
The spokesperson for the Niger junta criticized the perceived condescending tone of the U.S., which he argued undermined Niger’s sovereignty. Since the July coup, Niger has terminated its security partnership with the European Union, and France has withdrawn its troops from the country.
This week, Molly Phee and Marine General Michael Langley, the head of the U.S. military’s African Command, were in Niamey to engage in discussions with senior Nigerien government officials. Despite requests for comment, Molly Phee did not respond to emails.
As of December, a White House report to Congress indicated that the U.S. military had approximately 650 personnel stationed in Niger.
