US calls the shift in power in Niger “a coup”

Washington claims that attempts to bring back “democracy” in the African country have failed.

Washington has formally labelled the July military coup that installed a new administration in Niger as a “coup d’état,” which restricts US cooperation with the West African nation. The New York Times reports that the policy ramifications caused the administration of US President Joe Biden to delay taking this action for months.

The United States will now be “suspending most US assistance to the government of Niger,” the State Department announced on Tuesday. In August, Washington previously put a halt on almost $200 million in aid to Niger. The $302 million Niger Regional Transportation Compact project as well as other activities are now to be postponed until further notice.

The NYT reports that a total of $442 million in trade and agricultural support will also be discontinued.

According to the State Department, “life-saving humanitarian, food, and health assistance to benefit the people of Niger” will continue. Washington also plans to cooperate with “regional governments” in West Africa, such as those in Niger, to “advance shared interests.”

Any US aid that has been halted cannot be restarted until the military administration, also known as the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland, returns to what the US described as “democratic governance” in a “credible timeframe.”

On July 26, the military seized control of Niger, deposing President Mohamed Bazoum. The expulsion of the French ambassador and suspension of military cooperation agreements with France were swift actions taken by the new administration. Earlier last month, Paris started removing its troops from Niger.

But work has resumed at the US Embassy in Niamey, and the Pentagon is allegedly still evaluating the condition of the roughly 1,000 US troops stationed in Niger. CNN said last week that while the US is unlikely to remove all of its troops from the country in West Africa, their duties could be restricted to intelligence gathering.

As part of its counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, Washington maintains a number of military installations in Niger, including at least two drone bases. French and US forces have collaborated closely in the area.