Iran Press/ Africa: On March 16, Niger’s military government announced that it ended an agreement with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in Niger – days after holding high-level talks with US diplomatic and military officials this week.
“The government of Niger, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides with full responsibility to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of military personnel of the United States and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense in the territory of the Republic of Niger,” Niger military spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane said in a statement on national television announcing the change.
Abdramane added that the agreement between the two countries – signed in 2012, was imposed on Niger and had been in violation of the “constitutional and democratic rules” of the West African nation’s sovereignty.
“This agreement is not only profoundly unfair in its substance but it also does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people,” he said.
About 1,100 American soldiers are present in two military bases in Niger.
Earlier, at the request of the people and the military-installed government, the French soldiers left the country and the people celebrated the event.
Maikoul Zodi, a political and civil activist, in an interview with Iran Press about the importance of revoking Niger's military agreement with the United States, said: This action is useful because Niger is moving towards true sovereignty.He described the Americans as dangerous and said: With the new political situation in Niger, any bilateral cooperation and partnership that weakens Niger's national sovereignty is unacceptable.
Kabirou Mohamed, a Nigerian citizen, also stated that the presence of the U.S. troops in Niger is not effective in fighting terrorism and said: The end of the military agreement with the United States was the will of the people of the country and a useful decision.
Rabiou Boubacar believes that canceling the military agreement with the United States would benefit Niger's national sovereignty. He also points out that terrorism has not been eradicated in the country despite the presence of the American military.
According to some others, the end of Niger's military agreement with the United States was the right decision that was taken within the framework of the country's complete independence.
Niger was once a key US partner, but relations soured after military officers ousted President Bazoum and claimed power in July 2023, which the US formally designated as a coup.
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