Niger: the United States will withdraw its troops at the request of the Nigerien authorities

The United States agreed on Friday to withdraw its military contingent from Niger, at the request of the Niamey regime which took power following the July coup. This decision comes in a context marked by Russia's growing influence in the region.

The Nigerien authorities are wondering about the substance of American intentions in their country. Indeed, the legal basis for American military cooperation with Niger is very tenuous and provides no compensation for Niamey.

The spokesperson even describes the American presence as illegal, having not been submitted to the Assembly as provided for by law. It costs Nigerien taxpayers billions of CFA francs, said the spokesperson, since it is Niger which “pays bills linked to taxes for American military planes which the latter would normally have to pay. »

Even more serious, the Nigerien authorities, including the military, “have no information on the activities carried out from American bases in Niger, and are even unaware of the civilian and military personnel as well as the equipment deployed on Nigerien soil.” The American army has, moreover, “no obligation to accede to Nigerien requests for support against terrorist groups.”