Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for Niger's junta has announced the immediate revocation of a military agreement permitting U.S. Department of Defense personnel and civilian staff on its soil.
- Niger has announced the immediate revocation of a military agreement permitting U.S. Department of Defense personnel and civilian staff -on its soil.- Nigeria said the status and presence of U.S. troops in Niger was illegal and violated constitutional and democratic rules.
The decision comes after a recent visit by U.S. officials, led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and General Michael Langley, commander of the U.S. Africa Command, Reuters reported.
Abdramane, speaking on television in the West African nation, said the U.S. delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda.
What the spokesperson said:
"Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism," Abdramane said.
"Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people," he added.
Abdramane said the status and presence of U.S. troops in Niger was illegal and violated constitutional and democratic rules because, according to the spokesperson, it was unilaterally imposed on the African nation in 2012.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that senior U.S. officials engaged in "frank discussions" in Niamey earlier this week regarding the trajectory of Niger's ruling military council, known as the CNSP.
"We are in touch with the CNSP and will provide further updates as warranted," the official added.
As of last year, there were about 1,100 U.S. troops stationed in Niger, where the U.S. military operates from two bases. One of these bases includes a drone base named Air Base 201, situated near Agadez in central Niger, which was constructed at a cost exceeding $100 million.
Abdramane said Niger was not aware of the number of U.S. civilian and military personnel on its soil or the amount of equipment deployed and, according to the agreement, the U.S. military had no obligation to respond to any request for help against militants.
"In light of all the above, the government of Niger, revokes with immediate effect the agreement concerning the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the American Department of Defense on the territory of the Republic of Niger," Abdramane said.
Source: Businessinsider Africa
