– / AFP
The junta, which came to power in Niger thanks to a coup on July 26, denounced the agreement with the United States on Saturday, “with immediate effect”.
Military cooperation between the United States and Niger is mutually beneficial, Washington said on Monday, which indicated it was awaiting clarification after the announcement by the ruling junta to put an end to it. The military regime, which came to power in Niger thanks to a coup d’état on July 26, announced Saturday evening in a press release read on national television that it denounced “with immediate effect” the military cooperation agreement with the United States.
The statement came shortly after a US delegation, led by the top US military commander for Africa, General Michael Langley, and several senior civilian officials, left the country. “We are in contact with the transitional authorities to obtain clarification of their comments and to discuss future steps”explained Vedant Patel, a spokesperson for the State Department. “Our partnerships with West African countries on security are mutually beneficial and aim to achieve what we believe to be common objectives to detect, prevent and reduce terrorist violence and create an environment conducive to economic development and social”he added.
A Pentagon spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, said the US delegation had been “direct and frank” about American concerns about the coup. “We were disturbed by the path Niger has embarked on”she told journalists. “US officials have expressed concern about Niger’s potential relations with Russia and Iran”. Sabrina Singh, however, clarified that the “long” discussions also focused on “the way to chart a new path of cooperation, emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty of Niger and the concerns of both parties.”
Niger moves closer to the Kremlin
The head of the military regime in power in Niger, General Abdourahamane Tiani, sent his “warm congratulations” to Vladimir Putin after his re-election, assuring him of his desire to strengthen “already excellent relations” with his country.
After coming to power, the junta quickly demanded the departure of soldiers from the former French colonial power, like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, also governed by soldiers, and moved closer to the Kremlin.
The United States has some 1,000 soldiers in Niger, engaged in the anti-jihadist fight in the Sahel, and has a large drone base in Agadez (north). U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a rare visit to Niger a year ago to try to support President-elect Mohamed Bazoum, who has been under house arrest since the coup.