The West African nation of Niger has officially ended a crucial military agreement with the United States, prompting significant repercussions for counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region. The suspension of the “status of forces” agreement, which permitted American personnel to operate on Nigerien soil, comes amid escalating tensions over Niger’s relationships with Russia and Iran.
Niger’s military junta, which seized power in a coup last July, communicated the decision through a televised address by junta spokesman Amadou Abdramane. This move closely followed discussions held with a U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and the head of US Africa Command, General Michael Langley, where the U.S. expressed its concerns over Niger’s potential ties with non-Western actors. Abdramane, while addressing the termination, cited a “condescending attitude” by the US officials and a disregard for Niger’s sovereign right to choose its military partners.
The United States has had a significant military footprint in Niger, investing around $100 million in a drone base in the city of Agadez, which is known as Airbase 201. The U.S. presence, which has now dwindled from approximately 1,100 to 650 troops, has been instrumental in monitoring jihadist groups in the region. These groups, linked to Al Qaeda and Islamic State, have been a source of major instability, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.
Niger’s disengagement with the U.S. reflects a broader trend in the Sahel, with Mali and Burkina Faso also expanding their military relationships with Russia. The sentiment across these nations points to dissatisfaction with Western military partnerships, perceived as inadequate in curbing the tide of extremism despite their abundant resources and interests in the region.
The junta’s alignment with Russia for military assistance has raised questions about the efficacy of such a partnership, especially considering Russia’s primary focus on the conflict in Ukraine. The late Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin had expressed support for the Nigerien coup, framing it as a liberation from Western colonial influence. However, with Prigozhin’s death and the rebranding of Wagner, the future of Russian paramilitary presence in Africa is uncertain.
The severance of ties with the United States has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the struggle against militants in the Sahel. Notably, the suspension of the military pact could potentially leave Niger, much like Mali and Burkina Faso, more vulnerable to the activities of armed groups. Security and intelligence specialist Kabir Adamu highlighted that while these countries may form alliances among themselves and seek support from Russia, they are unlikely to match the military prowess of Western forces.
The implications of Niger’s decision are far-reaching for the United States, as it stands to lose one of its largest drone facilities in Africa. This development could substantially reduce the West’s military footprint in a region where Russian influence is progressively intensifying. It also represents a strategic setback for the U.S., which had not utilized its troops and drones for counterterrorism operations since the July coup.
Relevant articles:
– US military kicked out of uranium-rich Niger
– Did Russia, Iran provoke Niger walkout from US military pact?, Al Jazeera English, Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:59:07 GMT
– Salafi-Jihadi Movement Update Special Edition: Blinken Visits West Africa as Former Sahelian Counterterrorism Partners Continue to Slide into Russia and Iran’s Orbit, Critical Threats Project, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT
– The UN Security Council, Council on Foreign Relations, Mon, 26 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT