Niger ends 'unfair' military accord with US, reveals threats were made
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The United States is revealed to have threatened Niger against making any agreements with Russia and Iran and had made unfair stipulations on Niamey.
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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.
"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.
