The United States is in the process of negotiating a new military agreement with Niger, despite the country’s recent junta ruling that American presence was no longer justified. Niger is a crucial U.S. military outpost in the Sahel region, which is facing increasing threats from Islamic militants. The U.S. is actively working on options for a revised deal that would allow it to maintain its presence in the country, which plays an important role in U.S. military operations in Africa.
The decision to revise the agreement comes after tensions between Niger and Western countries escalated when mutinous soldiers overthrew the democratically elected president in July. The junta has since ordered French forces to leave and turned to Russia for security assistance. This has raised concerns among U.S. officials about their continued presence in Niger, as they face limitations due to U.S. laws restricting military support and aid to countries experiencing military coups.
The revised military agreement aims to find a formula that addresses the interests and concerns of both the U.S. and Niger, as maintaining a U.S. presence in the country is essential for the safety of troops and the ability to protect and evacuate military and diplomatic staff in the region. The U.S. has invested heavily in training Niger’s military and establishing military and intelligence infrastructure in the country, making disengagement a complicated process.
Local activists in Niger, such as Insa Garba Saidou, have stated that the country is open to working with other countries, including the U.S., but emphasized the need for fair and respectful relations that prioritize the interests of the people of Niger. Some experts have suggested that the U.S. should find a new mode of engagement in the region, moving away from failed counterterrorism cooperation models of the past decade and focusing on accountability and human rights issues in the Sahel region.
The U.S. delegation has been engaging with transition authorities in Niger to discuss the next steps in their military cooperation. While the junta has expressed a desire for a different model of cooperation with the U.S., the specific terms of the revised agreement are still under discussion. It remains to be seen if the junta will be receptive to the new terms proposed by the U.S., which are crucial for both parties to ensure their respective interests are addressed and maintained in a mutually beneficial agreement.
