On SProtests against the US military presence are held in Niger.aturday, a large gathering of demonstrators, which included government officials, convened in Niger’s capital, Niamey, to express their demand for the withdrawal of the US Army from the West African nation.
This comes after the expulsion of French troops from Niger last year. The protests were in support of the Nigerien military government’s decision to terminate a military agreement with the United States on March 16. The government accused Washington of trying to restrict Niamey’s autonomy in choosing its partners and the nature of cooperation required to combat terrorism effectively.
The previous cooperation deal, which spanned a decade, had allowed around 1,000 American troops and civilian contractors to operate in Niger. Colonel Ibro Amadou, a member of the military government, addressed the crowd of protesters, affirming their stance against the American military presence and drawing parallels to the French withdrawal. Since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July last year, Niger’s new leadership has been reassessing its partnerships with Western countries that were previously engaged by the overthrown civilian government.
France, the former colonial power, completed its troop withdrawal in December, following orders from Niamey’s military rulers, who cited internal interference and a failure to effectively combat Islamic terrorists in the Sahel region. In contrast, the United States has expressed its intention to maintain pragmatic relations with Niger’s military regime and has rejected the idea of disengagement from the country.
The Pentagon has stated that it is seeking clarification from Nigerien authorities regarding the annulment of the military pact and is exploring options for American troops to remain in Niger.
Despite concerns raised by the US about the military leaders’ ties with Moscow, Niamey has turned to Russia for security assistance. Last month, transitional leader Abdourahamane Tchiani and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to coordinate efforts in combating terrorism in the Sahel region.
The Synergy of Nigerien Civil Society Organizations, led by Mohamed El Kebir, expressed gratitude towards the leaders of the recent coup in Niamey for taking a stand against what they perceive as oppressive foreign powers. They believe that Western partnerships have hindered Niger’s progress towards self-sufficiency since gaining independence in 1960.
El Kebir highlighted the significant loss of civilian and military lives due to what he described as a foreign-backed terrorist threat that emerged following the presence of international troops in the country. He criticized the regime’s decision to allow the Pentagon and the CIA to operate in Niger, leading to tragic consequences.
The activist emphasized the importance of collaboration with countries within the Alliance of Sahel States, as well as other nations like Togo, Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, India, and Pakistan, who have shown solidarity with Niger. He believes that these partnerships are crucial to protecting the country’s interests and sovereignty.
