Nigeria’s military government has cancelled a military agreement that allowed the presence of U.S. military personnel in Nigeria.
Saturday’s announcement comes during a week when a delegation from Washington is in Niamey for talks with the country’s military leadership.
The United States used bases in Niger to monitor jihadist activity in the region.
This latest announcement by the military junta, which has been in power since July last year, comes after it moved closer to Russia and French troops withdrew in December.
“The US presence on the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal and violates all the constitutional and democratic rules which would require the sovereign people… to be consulted on the installation of a foreign army on its territory,” Niger’s military spokesperson Col Amadou Abdramane said in a damning statement on national television.
He also claimed that the US delegation accused Niger of having a secret deal to supply uranium to Iran.
Colonel Abdulrahman called the accusations “cynical” and “reminiscent of the second Iraq War.”And finally, he pointed out that the United States is against Niger’s chosen ally.
“The Government of Niger therefore strongly condemns the condescending attitude of the head of the American delegation, together with the threat of retaliation against the Government and people of Niger,” Abdrahman said.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller spoke about the trajectory of Niger’s ruling military council, referring to its initials CNSP. We are in contact with the CNSP and will provide further updates as required.
There are believed to be at least 650 US troops in Niger.
In 2016, the US began investing around $100 million (£79 million) in a drone base in downtown Agadez, 750 kilometres (460 miles) northeast of Niamey.
It was used to monitor and target Islamic State and al-Qaeda militants operating across the Sahel region.
Jihadist activity in the Sahel has destabilized many countries and led to coups in Niger and two neighbouring countries, Mali and Burkina Faso. Currently, the three countries have a military alliance.
Niger’s military overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum last July, citing the deteriorating security situation.
Due to growing resentment towards former colonial power France, French troops who had been helping in the fight against jihadists left the country in December.
The military regime seemed to have a more flexible attitude toward the United States, but that has now changed.
Niger seems to be moving closer to Russia. Last December, military junta-appointed Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine visited Moscow to discuss military and economic relations.
Regarding relations with Russia, military spokesperson Colonel Abdullahmane stated that Niger is “necessary in the fight against terrorists who are killing thousands of innocent Nigerians under the indifferent scrutiny of much of the international community.”
He said he was negotiating with the country to acquire “new military equipment.” He demanded sacrifice. ”.