Niger terminates military agreements with United States with immediate effect

The military junta in Niger has ended a military accord that allows military personnel and civilian staff from the U.S. Department of Defense to operate on its soil with immediate effect.

This was disclosed by the junta spokesperson Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

The move to halt the agreement follows a visit by U.S. officials this week led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and included General Michael Langley, commander of the U.S. Africa Command.

Abdramane explained that the operations and presence of U.S. troops in Niger were illegal and violated constitutional and democratic rules, adding that it was unilaterally imposed on the African nation in 2012.

The statement by the junta spokesperson said the government had decided to revoke “with immediate effect” the agreement relating to US military and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense inside Niger.

“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said.

“Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people,” he added.

The United States stations some 1,000 troops to repel terrorists activities in Niger at a desert drone base built for $100 million.

The junta in Niger, like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, have dismissed French and other Western forces and turned to Russia for military and political support.