After the French, the American military could in turn be expelled from Niger.
The regime of generals in power in Niamey denounced on Saturday
“with immediate effect”
the military cooperation agreement signed with the United States in 2012, affirming that the American presence was
“illegal”
.
Quickly after coming to power in a coup d'état on July 26, 2023, the Niamey regime denounced military cooperation agreements with France and the last French soldiers left Niger at the end of December.
After the coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum, Washington suspended its cooperation with Niger.
But the United States has some 1,100 soldiers engaged in the anti-jihadist fight in the country and has a large drone base in Agadez (north).
In December they said they were ready to resume this cooperation, under conditions.
American military presence deemed
“
illegal
”
Saturday evening, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for the regime, indicated that the Nigerien government
"taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people"
had decided
"with all responsibility to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense in the territory of Niger
.
In a press release, read on national television, the colonel specifies that the American military presence is
“illegal”
and
“violates all constitutional and democratic rules”
.
According to Niamey, this “unfair”
agreement
was
“unilaterally imposed”
by the United States, via a
“simple note verbale”
on July 6, 2012.
The move comes after a three-day visit by a US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee.
During this three-day visit, the American was unable to meet the head of the military regime Abdourahamane Tiani, according to a Nigerien government source.
“The arrival of the American delegation did not respect diplomatic practices
,” Amadou Abdramane explained on Saturday, ensuring that the American government had informed Niamey “
unilaterally”
of its arrival date and the composition of its delegation. .