niger-breaks-military-ties-with-the-us-says-presence-no-longer-justified

Niger has broken off all military ties with the US with "immediate effect" on Saturday. Niger's Junta said the US presence on the Nigerian soil is "no longer justified." 

The country announced on state television after holding high-level talks with US diplomatic and military officials earlier in the week.

Niger holds a pivotal position in the US military's endeavours in Africa's Sahel region, hosting a significant airbase. 

The United States is apprehensive about the escalation of jihadist violence in the area, as local factions have aligned themselves with extremist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

In a statement, the junta's spokesperson, Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane, refrained from explicitly stating that US forces should depart. 

However, he announced Niger's suspension of military cooperation with Washington and contended that recent US flights over the country's airspace were unlawful.

In recent years, the US military has established a significant airbase in Agadez, Niger, situated approximately 920 kilometres (550 miles) from the capital city of Niamey. 

This base serves as a hub for both manned and unmanned surveillance flights and various other operations.

Moreover, the United States has made substantial investments, including extensive training and hundreds of millions of dollars, to enhance Niger's military capabilities. 

However, certain factions within the Nigerian military were implicated in the July overthrow of the democratically elected president, Mohammed Bazoum.

In October, the US officially categorised the military seizure as a coup, activating legal provisions that limit the scope of military support and aid that the U.S. can offer to Niger. Nonetheless, in December, Molly Phee, the top US envoy for Africa, indicated that the US was willing to restore aid and security cooperation with Niger provided certain conditions were met.

According to the spokesperson for the Niger junta, the tone of the US was perceived as condescending and seen as a threat to Niger's sovereignty. 

Following the July coup, Niger terminated its security partnership with the European Union, and subsequently, France withdrew its troops from the country.