Niger’s military-controlled government announced it has broken off a previous agreement with the United States that allows U.S. troops to be stationed in Niger for strategic purposes.
In a statement, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane of Niger shared, “The government of Niger, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides with full responsibility to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of military personnel of the United States and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense in the territory of the Republic of Niger.”
The Biden admin has already removed 50% of U.S. troops from Niger, and 648 U.S. military personnel remain.
"The American presence in the Republic of Niger is illegal"
Niger has suspended all its military agreements with the U.S., including operations of a major U.S. military airbase — a major blow to U.S. power in Africa pic.twitter.com/x6ZlCEMQ4c
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) March 18, 2024
Niger breaks off military cooperation with US govt
'Pack Your Bags': Putin-Friendly African Nation (Niger) Tells U.S. Army | Ties Snapped, And Moved Closer to Russia. pic.twitter.com/agf4lR2fqt— Ugo 247 (@UgoJustrealugo) March 17, 2024
Here’s what CNN reported:
Niger’s military government announced that it has ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in Niger – days after holding high-level talks with US diplomatic and military officials this week.
“The government of Niger, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides with full responsibility to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of military personnel of the United States and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense in the territory of the Republic of Niger,” Niger military spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane said in a statement on national television announcing the change.
Abdramane added that the agreement between the two countries – signed in 2012, was imposed on Niger and had been in violation of the “constitutional and democratic rules” of the West African nation’s sovereignty.
“This agreement is not only profoundly unfair in its substance but it also does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people,” he said.
Another defeat for the Biden administration as Niger closes 650 staff ‘Air Base 201‘, a $100 million US construction.
With the loss of Niger, the US just lost its main front for power projection against China and Russia in Africa.
— Make Peace Now; alternative news (@AlternatNews) March 18, 2024
Per The Hill:
Niger is pulling its military cooperation deal with the United States and ordering some 1,000 American military personnel to leave the country, a startling development that comes after U.S. officials last week traveled to the capital of Niamey to “raise a number of concerns” about Niger growing closer to Russia and Iran, the Pentagon said Monday.
The ruling military junta on Saturday revoked a major accord known as the status of forces agreement, which allows U.S. forces in Niger. Biden administration officials are aware of this and are “working through diplomatic channels to seek clarification,” Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.
But just last week, a delegation from Washington that included Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander and U.S. Africa Command head Gen. Michael Langley, met with officials with Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
“The U.S. delegation was there to raise a number of concerns . . . We were troubled on the path that Niger is on. And so these were direct and frank conversations to have those in person, to talk about our concerns and to also hear theirs,” Singh said.
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