Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
Niger has demanded American troops to leave the country "no later" than 15 September, and the US has agreed. The official statement said the two countries had "reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of US forces, which has already begun".
The US had relied on Niger as its primary military base, but US threats led to the rupture of military ties, according to Niger's Prime Minister Zeine, who blamed the US for the breakdown in bilateral relations, culminating with the "Yankee Go Home" order.
In April, street demonstrators in Agadez, Niger, demanded the withdrawal of US troops.
A crucial military relationship between Washington and Niger, its closest West African ally, dissolved after a visiting US official made threats during last-ditch negotiations over whether American troops based there would be allowed to remain, according to Zeine.
On March 17, Niger broke off military cooperation with the US, as military leaders move closer to Russia. A senior US delegation left the country the day before, following an unsuccessful 3-day visit to renew contact with the military leaders that ousted the former president.
The government of Niger decided to "denounce with immediate effect" the agreement relating to US military and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense inside Niger, which operated a desert drone base built at a cost of US$100 million.
In July 2023, a military coup overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who had been close to Washington, and the US had cut aid to Niger in the aftermath. Niger's military had in the past worked closely with the United States, but are now looking to cooperate with Russia.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken paid a visit to Niger in 2023 in hopes of shoring up Bazoum, a stalwart ally of the US, but just four months later, the military deposed Bazoum and put him under house arrest.
The military took a hard line against former colonial power France, forcing the withdrawal of French troops in place for nearly a decade last year.
China has focused on economic engagement in Africa, while funding infrastructure development through its Belt and Road Initiative. China's investment and aid without attaching conditions such as political and economic reforms have attracted many African leaders who have come to resent what is perceived as Western meddling in internal affairs, where US aid is conditioned on domestic politics.
In March, Niger announced the end of its military agreement with the US. Military spokesperson Col. Amadou Abdramane accused the US of raising objections about the allies that Niger had chosen. Abdramane condemned the US for its "condescending attitude" and "threat of reprisals".
American forces have used two military bases in Niger, and has more than 1,000 troops stationed at the base.
As Niger has distanced itself from the West, it has drawn closer to Russia, and last month, Russian military instructors arrived in Niger as part of a new agreement with its military leaders.
Niger has also quit the French-backed G5 Sahel force, saying it was ineffectual and undermined African sovereignty, and launched their own defense pact called the Alliance of Sahel States.
Era of Global Transformations
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