APA-Niamey (Niger) The divorce comes just 48 hours after a delegation of senior US administration officials visited Niamey.
On Saturday, Niger renounced with “immediate effect” the military agreement that has linked it to the United States since 2012, according to the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNPS).
In a statement broadcast on public television, the government described the agreement as “illegal” and “unjust,” violating diplomatic principles because it was “unilaterally imposed by a simple verbal note” on Niger in 2012.
The Nigerien authorities also denounced the “condescending attitude and threat of reprisals” of the US regarding Niamey’s choice of diplomatic, strategic and military partners, particularly Russia and Iran.
The renunciation of the agreement comes after the visit of an American delegation to the country, led by the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee.
The delegation completed a 3-day mission on Thursday, without being able to meet the head of state, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
According to the Nigerien government on Saturday, the delegation’s arrival was not in keeping with diplomatic practice.
After the July 2023 coup, the United States suspended military activities with Niamey before resuming a month later, announcing a repositioning of its troops.
The United States has around a thousand troops based mainly in Agadez, where it has an air base. It is the 2nd largest American base after Djibouti.
This decision also puts an end to the largest foreign military presence in the Sahel, following France’s departure from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
DS/ac/fss/as/APA