Following the ruling junta’s decision to revoke an agreement allowing U.S. troops to operate in Niger, the United States has received conflicting messages from the West African country, according to Air Force General C.Q. Brown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown hinted at potential support within Niger’s ruling junta for maintaining a U.S. military presence, although he did not provide details on the mixed signals.
During a news conference at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Brown stated, “As you saw over the course of the weekend, there was some announcements from Niger about our relationship. But even since then, there have been some mixed signals that we received. So we will continue to make plans and prepare – if we stay or depart.”
Deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel from the State Department mentioned that Washington is actively communicating with Niger’s ruling military council, known as the CNSP, to gain further clarity on their recent statements and to discuss potential next steps in the relationship.
Prior to the coup in July 2023, Niger had been crucial in the fight against Islamist insurgents in the region for the United States. Since the military junta took control in Niamey, it has expelled French and European forces, withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States, and forged stronger military ties with Russia, following the footsteps of juntas in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel are still stationed in Niger, even though their counter-terrorism activities have been put on hold. The Pentagon expressed concerns about Niger’s potential alliances with Russia and Iran during a recent meeting with senior Biden administration officials in the country.
Russian defense officials, led by Yunus-bek Yevkurov, the deputy defense minister of Russia, have visited Niger and met with the junta leader. Similarly, the prime minister of Niger’s ruling junta, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, paid a visit to Iran in January.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ruling junta refuted claims by the U.S. delegation that Niger had entered into a secretive agreement with Iran regarding uranium. Patel did not elaborate on the specific points of contention between the U.S. and Niger but highlighted that there were disagreements on various issues.
Despite recent tensions, discussions are ongoing between the United States and Niger to navigate the evolving relationship and potential implications of the ruling junta’s decisions.
Overall, the situation in Niger remains complex, with uncertainties surrounding the future of U.S. military presence in the country and the direction of Niger’s foreign policy as it shifts towards closer ties with Russia and Iran.
Reported by Idrees Ali in Ramstein, Germany, Phil Stewart and Simon Lewis in Washington; written by Phil Stewart; edited by Chris Reese
