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 correspondent: An Israeli drone attacked the main road in the town of Harouf, South Lebanon.
Lebanese President: Israeli aggression on Blida took place in aftermath of meeting of ceasefire monitoring committee.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun asks Commander of Lebanese Army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated Lebanese territory in the South.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli aircraft launch series of strikes on area of Jarmaq, South Lebanon.
Reuters: Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to restart peace talks in Istanbul.
Al-Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Blida municipality building two hours after occupying it, and the Lebanese army enters
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.

US downplays effect of severed military accords with Niger

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 22 Mar 2024 15:54
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

While some experts expressed the seriousness of the ending of the military accords between Niger and the US, others stated it does not necessarily entail the withdrawal of US troops.

  • x
  • US Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga meets with Maj. Gen. Moussa Barmou at Air Base 101, Niger on June 12, 2023. (US Air Force)
    US Army Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga meets with Maj. Gen. Moussa Barmou at Air Base 101, Niger on June 12, 2023. (US Air Force)

Last Saturday, Niger declared 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 US 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.

Since then, US officials downplayed the magnitude of Niger's action and tried to promote a toned-down narrative that does not reflect badly on the United States. 

Celeste A. Wallander, an assistant secretary of defense, told lawmakers at the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday that Niger's decision was not as severe as initially thought, and that the US was trying to find a loophole to keep its troops in the African nation, the New York Times reported.

“The self-identified government of Niger has not asked or demanded that the United States military depart. There is actually quite a mixed message. We are following up and seeking clarification,” she said, adding that only the military accord was discarded.

However, ongoing discussions between the transitional government in Niger and the United States have examined the withdrawal of US troops from the African nation's grounds and the steps that would follow, State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday.

When asked about the possibility of concluding US soldiers' presence in Niger, Patel replied, "This is one of the things that we continue to be discussing with them [CNSP] and discussing next steps."

Related News

US advances Gaza security force plan amid fragile ceasefire

Trump nuclear test threat risks escalating tensions with China: NYT

If the US is ousted from Niger, more bases to be built in Africa

Before Niger decided to sever the joint military accord with the US, an American delegation, including Wallander, headed to the country to discuss several security concerns such as developing relations between Niger and Russia, negotiations regarding Iran's access to Nigerien uranium reserves, and the post-coup plans that did not have a clear sense of democratic direction.

The meeting was described as tense, with Niger saying the US delegation had a condescending attitude and attempted to dictate Niger's partnerships during the discussions. Niger then broke the accords. 

However, US and Western analysts claim it is unclear whether Niger intends to remove US troops from the country instead of using the pronouncement as leverage in negotiations to attain more US support and benefits. 

In this context, Wallander said, “Countries that are run by military juntas are not reliable security partners," adding that “part of the value proposition for us having access in Niger would be a return to democratic civilian rule in Niger.”

As US troops find themselves inactive in Niger, the US has been contemplating the deployment of other military drone bases in several other African nations. Regardless, the situation in Niger could reflect badly on the US if the African country does actually remove the foreign troops from its lands. 

“I’m concerned that the end of any US assistance to Niger not only opens the door for Russia and the rebranded Wagner forces operating under the banner of Africa Corps, but also exacerbates the counterterrorism challenge at a time when Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates have grown into a formidable regional threat," said  Colin P. Clarke, a counterterrorism analyst at the Soufan Group, a New York-based security consulting firm.

Consequently, Clarke said that JNIM, the Qaeda affiliate, has significantly expanded in Sahel. 

Read more: US contemplating physical elimination of junta leaders: Russia's SVR

  • United States
  • Niger Coup
  • US soldiers
  • Niger

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
Hi-tech holocaust: Microsoft’s role in Gaza genocide

Microsoft's role in world’s first AI-driven genocide, in Gaza, exposed

  • Technology
  • 28 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An undated photo of US Air Force personnel from the 576th Flight Test Squadron Missile Handling Team installing a cable raceway on an intercontinental ballistic missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California (Staff Sgt Jonathan Snyder/US Air Force)
Politics

Trump nuclear test threat risks escalating tensions with China: NYT

Displaced Palestinians walk along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza in the central Gaza Strip, moving toward northern Gaza, Friday, Octtober. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Politics

US advances Gaza security force plan amid fragile ceasefire

Sam Altman, co-founder and chief executive officer, OpenAI, listens to testimony during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Technology

OpenAI prepares for historic IPO targeting $1 trillion valuation

'Israel' approves illegal settlement expansion in occupied al-Quds
Politics

'Israel' approves illegal settlement expansion in occupied al-Quds

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