The situation in Africa's Sahel region has changed rapidly, with the collapse of post-colonial French rule, but also the emergence of coups in several countries and the strengthening of military regimes that are developing bilateral relations with Russia. As a result, America's influence is also at risk.
In the case of Niger, the situation escalated to the point where Niger's military government canceled an ongoing U.S. military cooperation agreement and ordered troops and civilians to leave the country.
Niger's military junta spokesman, Major Amadou Abdrahman, made it clear, leaving no room for interpretation. “U.S. military bases and civilians can no longer remain on Nigerian soil.”
Since then, the United States has rushed to assess the future of „counterterrorism operations“ in the Sahel region.
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Now, just days after the junta welcomed a new Russian military instructor, it emerged today (13th) that crowds took to the streets of Niger's capital demanding the withdrawal of US troops.
Reuters report:
“Marching arm in arm through the center of Niamey, the crowd waved the Nigerian flag in a demonstration reminiscent of the anti-French protests. Last year, French troops withdrew from Niger after the military seized power in a coup.
One handwritten sign in English read, „America must withdraw from Niger immediately,“ allowing the military government and about 1,000 U.S. military personnel to operate within Niger's territory. It shows support for the junta's decision to cancel the agreement in mid-March. 2 locations.
(…) Until the coup, Niger remained a key security partner for France and the United States, based there as part of an international effort to curb a decade-old Islamist insurgency in West Africa's Sahel region. It was used as.
Niger's military junta is in the process of ending military agreements with Western countries, leaving regional bloc ECOWAS, and strengthening diplomatic ties with Russia, placing its military governments in Mali and Burkina Faso.
„Wednesday's arrival of Russian military instructors and equipment was further evidence that the junta is open to closer cooperation with Russia as it seeks to increase its influence in Africa.“
Some people heard in the Reuters report do not want Russian defense aid to become a permanent presence.
„Student Suleiman Ousmane: „That's how the French, Americans and all these other countries settled in Niger. From military cooperation, they ended up occupying a large part of our country.''
It is currently unclear when U.S. forces will withdraw. One of Niger's major plans is a drone base known as Air Base 201, which he says will cost him more than $100 million.