***Title: The turning point in diplomatic and military relations between the United States and Niger***
Diplomatic and military relations between the United States and the West African nation of Niger took a new turn this weekend, plunging into some uncertainty.
In a statement broadcast on state television, a spokesperson for Niger’s junta announced Saturday that the American military presence in the country was no longer justified. The announcement follows high-level talks with US diplomatic and military officials this week.
Niger plays a central role in U.S. military operations in the Sahel region of Africa and is home to a major air base. The United States is concerned about the spread of jihadist violence in the region, where local groups have pledged allegiance to extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
In his statement, junta spokesperson Colonel Maj. Amadou Abdramane stopped short of saying that American forces should leave the country. He said Niger was suspending military cooperation with Washington and added that US flights over Nigerien territory in recent weeks were illegal.
The United States has in fact established a major air base in the Nigerien city of Agadez in recent years, used for piloted and unpiloted surveillance flights as well as other operations.
The United States has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training the Nigerien army. Some of these forces participated in the July overthrow of Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohammed Bazoum.
In October, Washington officially declared the military overthrow a coup, triggering U.S. laws restricting the military support and aid it can provide to Niger. But in December, the top U.S. envoy for Africa, Molly Phee, said the United States was prepared to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.
Niger’s junta spokesperson said the U.S. tone was condescending and threatened Niger’s sovereignty. Since the July coup, the country has ended its security partnership with the European Union and France has withdrawn its troops from the country.
Molly Phee and Marine Gen. Michael Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, were in Niamey this week to meet with senior Nigerien government officials. Phee did not respond to emailed requests for comment.
Nearly 650 people were working for the U.S. military in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress..
This turnaround in U.S.-Niger relations underscores growing tensions in the region and the need to find diplomatic solutions to ensure long-term security and stability.