Niger’s ruling junta announced a decisive move away from Western allies on Saturday, denouncing its military cooperation agreement with the United States.
This comes just days after a U.S. delegation attempted to rekindle ties with the military leadership that took power in a July 2023 coup.
The televised statement declared the immediate termination of the agreement governing the presence of U.S. military and civilian personnel in Niger.
The decision follows a period of strained relations since the coup, with the U.S. already scaling back assistance to the junta.
The U.S. currently maintains a drone base in Niger, staffed by around 1,000 troops.
This latest development underscores a significant shift in Niger’s foreign policy. Secretary of State Blinken’s visit last year aimed to solidify Niger’s role as a key partner in counter-terrorism efforts.
However, the coup ousted U.S. ally President Bazoum and ushered in a junta with a more critical stance towards the West.
The junta has already taken a hard line against France, forcing the withdrawal of their troops.
While not aligning fully with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso’s embrace of Russia, Niger’s decision to sever ties with the U.S. suggests a potential tilt towards Moscow’s sphere of influence.
