The Niger Ruling Junta has “with immediate effect” revoked an agreement that allows military personnel and civilian staff from the United States Department of Defense to conduct operations on its territory
Colonel Amadou Abdramane, a spokesperson for the Niger military junta, said on Saturday that the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol and that Niger was not informed of the delegation’s composition, arrival date, or agenda.
He added that the discussions focused on Niger’s current military transition, military cooperation between the two countries, and Niger’s choice of partners in the fight against militants affiliated with al Qaeda and Islamic State.
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 Defence in the Republic of Niger, he said.
However, the decision follows a visit by U.S. officials, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, and Commander of the U.S. Africa Command, General Michael Langley. A decision that has left a blow on the U.S. after it held a meeting to avoid such.
Niger, since it seized power last July like its neighbouring counterparts, Mali and Burkina Faso, has kicked out France and other European forces while turning to Russia for support against the father of Democracy, the U.S., and the Colonial French masters.
According to the spokesperson, U.S. troops were unilaterally imposed on the African nation in 2012, as Abdramane claimed that their status and presence there were illegal and in violation of democratic and constitutional norms.
He said that Niger had no idea how many American military and civilian personnel were stationed there or how much equipment was in use and that the agreement did not require the US military to react to requests for assistance in fighting extremists.
“In light of all the above, the government of Niger revokes with immediate effect the agreement concerning the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense on the territory of the Republic of Niger,” Abdramane said.
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