Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.

Niger ends 'unfair' military accord with US, reveals threats were made

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Mar 2024 23:04
  • 5 Shares
5 Min Read

The United States is revealed to have threatened Niger against making any agreements with Russia and Iran and had made unfair stipulations on Niamey.

  • x
  • Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of Niger's ruling junta in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023 (AP)
    Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Nigerian President Mohamed Bazoum, addresses supporters of Niger's ruling junta in Niamey, Niger, August 6, 2023 (AP)

Niger declared Saturday an abrupt end to a longstanding military agreement with the United States in a fiery public address by the spokesperson of the Nigerien military.

The accord, which facilitated the "illegal" presence of American military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense within the Nigerien borders, was severed by Niger as being unfair and a tool used by the US to undermine the nation's sovereignty.

"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," spokesperson Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane said on national television.

"This agreement is not only profoundly unfair in its essence, it does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people," he clarified. 

"First, it forces Niger to pay bills related to taxes on American military aircraft, which must be paid regularly and which cost Nigerien taxpayers billions of Francs. Then, the competent Nigerien authorities have no information on military activities carried out from American bases in Niger," the spokesperson stressed.

Moreover, he reminded that the US decided to unilaterally end its cooperation with Niger in the wake of the military takeover in 2023.

Tensions between the two nations escalated following the ascent of Niger's military junta to power in July 2023, an event condemned by the US as a coup. Subsequently, the US began withdrawing a substantial portion of its troops stationed in Niger.

Condescending delegation

The announcement coincided with a visit from a senior US delegation, which, according to Abdramane, lacked diplomatic protocol, raising concerns about transparency and mutual respect.

Niger said the US delegation had a condescending attitude and attempted to dictate Niger's partnerships during the discussions, which was strongly condemned by the Nigerien government.

The talks were aimed at the ongoing military transition, cooperation between Niamey and Washington on counter-terrorism, and Niger's choices of who it wants to partner up with. The spokesperson underlined that the United States did not see eye to eye with Niger regarding its partners.

Related News

Donroe Doctrine: Trump’s neocolonial drive in Latin America

Aoun, Arab League SG meet, discuss 'Israel' and regional tensions

"The government of Niger regrets the will of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and the types of partnerships capable of helping it truly fight against terrorism," Abdramane said.

He held the United States responsible for the severance of ties between the two nations and highlighted that the head of the US delegation made a threat of reprisals against Niger for its decision to pursue other partnerships.

"This attitude is likely to undermine the quality of our centuries-old relations relationship and undermine the trust between our two governments," the spokesperson added.

Niger also went on to underline that, contrary to accusations coming out of the United States, it has no covert agreements in place with either Russia or Iran, namely an agreement on uranium with the latter.

"This cynical approach, usually used to discredit, demonize, and justify threats against states, recalls the example of the Second Iraq War," he said before reminding that France controls the uranium that comes out of Niger and thus, the government could not sign any off to Iran.

As for Russia, Abdramane underlined that it was a partner of Niger that it deals with under the military cooperation agreements signed with the previous government to acquire the necessary military equipment in the combat against terrorism.

The US military presence in Niger was decried as "illegal" and as being in violation of all the constitutional and democratic rules, with the spokesperson adding that Niger would require consultations with its elected representatives before instating a foreign army on its soil.

Over the past few weeks, he noted, the Nigerien government noted illegal overflight activities by American aircraft.

Niger coup

Last year, the United States repositioned its military forces in Niger and withdrew some non-essential personnel as a precautionary measure following the coup which overthrew Western-backed President Mohamed Bazoum, Reuters reported citing US officials.

The officials however declined to provide details on the troop movements and the evacuation effort. 

The United States had 1,100 troops deployed to Niger before the departures.

Last year in July, Niger's government was overthrown in a coup led by members of the Presidential Guard. Soldiers claimed to have overthrown Niger's government following an apparent mutiny in the West African nation when members of the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum.

President Mohamed Bazoum was detained at his residence and talks to release him failed, a presidential source said.

The soldiers declared the suspension of all institutions, closed borders, and imposed a curfew. They cited reasons such as the deteriorating security situation and poor economic and social governance as justification for ending President Bazoum's rule.

  • United States
  • Russia
  • Niger Coup
  • Niger
  • Iran

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS