Since the first US military base was set up in an African country, no African government has had the guts to tell them that they have overstayed their welcome and need to leave despite the calls to end foreign military bases across Africa. It was the same for French military bases across Africa until the military juntas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger kicked them out and ended every defense cooperation with them. These superb military leaders who place great stock in the sovereignty and independence of their country were the first to do so. In fact, everything they have done since they came to power from kicking French out, leaving ECOWAS, and partnering with non-western countries, has completely shifted African geopolitics and created uncertainty in the heart of the West about their standing in Africa and now, one of them has taken a bold step to do something that nobody, not even the world’s superpower saw coming.

In a firm tone and without mincing words, the military junta of Niger, General Tiani announced through his spokesman that military cooperation with the United States has ended. The United States government certainly did not expect to hear that. Recall that after Niger kicked out French forces, there were rumors that the U.S. was next in line but nothing of such happened, and it seemed like there was a kind of understanding between the military government of Niger and the U.S. but with this recent announcement, any kind of understanding between Niger and the U.S has shattered. The news was announced after U.S. officials led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and included General Michael Langley, commander of the U.S. Africa Command paid a visit to the Niger military government and had a series of meetings with the Prime Minister of Niger. So, what exactly happened that made the Niger junta make this big decision?

First, according to the statement read by the spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, the U.S. delegation that came to Niger did not follow diplomatic protocol and did not inform the Niger military government of the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival, or its agenda. Well, that is not surprising given the fact that when it comes to dealing with Africa, the U.S. and the West have always exhibited a superior attitude as if they know better than Africa, and since they are supposedly the superiors, African leaders are supposed to be the ones to clear their schedule for them. It’s the reason why a U.S.-Africa summit is held in the U.S. instead of Africa. Obviously, sending delegates to Niger without properly informing the Niger government is just a way to exercise authority and a show of power. Regardless, according to Abdramane, the U.S delegates were welcomed into the country and began discussions which centered around the current military transition in Niger, military cooperation between the two countries, and Niger’s choice of partners in the fight against militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

Speaking about the military transition, the U.S. delegates made it known that it was necessary for the military government of Niger to quickly return to constitutional and democratic rule if cooperation between the two countries is going to continue. In addition, the U.S. delegates went on to say that Niger’s choice of partners, referring to Russia and other non-Western countries including Iran, in its fight against terrorism would have to change if there is going to be any military cooperation between the two countries. Imagine the audacity. How can a foreign country come into another country and begin to dictate what should happen there? Does that even make sense? Now, we can see why the Niger government decided to end things with them.

In response to their demands, the military government of Niger made it known that they are committed to returning to constitutional rule as soon as possible but in terms of Niger’s partners, the U.S delegates were made to understand that they had no right to dictate which country Niger should partner with to help fight it’s security problem. Reading out the statement, Abdramane stated that “Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” He also added that “Niger “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude” of the US, “accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people and that this attitude is likely to undermine the quality of our centuries-old relations and undermine the trust between our two governments which had already begun to break on October 19th, 2023, when the U.S. falsely accused Niger of signaling a secret uranium deal with Iran.

According to Abdramane, Niger has never signed any secret agreement with either Russia or Iran and all its agreements with any country are transparent and based on international standards. He went on to say that this kind of false accusation is a similar tactic used by the U.S. to justify its military intervention in Iraq. This is just the perfect response to give to those U.S. delegates because they make it seem as if it was after the coup that Niger started partnering with Russia, Iran, and other non-Western countries. But, the fact is Russia and Iran have both been partners of Niger for decades although it was not as pronounced as it is now because the previous governments were still Western allies. However, the records show that the previous governments also acquired weapons from Russia and Iran. So, why is the U.S. making such a big deal about it? It’s because unlike before, they have started to realize that they are not at the top when it comes to the choice of partners in Africa. More African countries are beginning to choose Russia and other non-Western countries as first options and that is something the U.S. doesn’t want because it would mean that they no longer hold all the cards.

One, interesting question is “Does the U.S. truly think that the military government of Niger would agree to the condition that the only way to continue military cooperation with them is to end its partnership with Russia and Iran? Did they truly think that they are so important? Come to think of it, what exactly has their presence in Niger done to quell the insecurity? The answer is absolutely nothing. How can the greatest military power in the world be present in a place and yet insecurity and terrorism have not been reduced but have persisted and even increased? What has their so-called surveillance on the terrorists done to help the fight against terrorism in Niger? Again the answer is nothing. The fact is the U.S. base is only there to make sure the terrorists don’t spill past the Sahel into the West, show its military might, be ready in case West Africa decides to do something against the West, and gather information about West African countries. What this means is that the U.S. military is not in any way beneficial to Niger, a concept the U.S has failed to understand.

So, demanding that Niger end military cooperation with countries that want to help them fight insecurity one exchange for their continued military cooperation which hasn’t benefited Niger in any way has got to be the dumbest idea the U.S. has ever had. Recall that after French forces were kicked out of Niger, a top Pentagon official made it known that the U.S. cannot afford to leave Niger and so will do what it takes to remain in the country because the U.S base in Niger is not just a very vital component of U.S security policy but also where intelligence is gathered across West Africa, meaning it’s a spy base. The U.S. base in Agadez, Niger was built six years ago for hundred and ten million dollars and has spent so much dollars in maintaining it, and according to Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command if this base is lost, then the U.S. would lose its eyes and ears in the Sahel. If the US truly wanted to remain in Niger, it should have acted like Germany and stop dictating and interfering in the actions of Niger.

Unfortunately for the U.S., it has refused to learn, and now the military government of Niger has officially ended with immediate effect the military accord that allows US military personnel and civilian staff on its soil which means those 1100 troops have got to leave Niger. The only thing left is for Niger to officially say the U.S. should pack up and go. Speaking on the presence of the U.S. forces in Niger, Abdramane revealed that the presence of the U.S. Military in Niger is illegal and violates constitutional and democratic norms. He noted that the right representatives were not consulted before the U.S. forces were deployed in the country. Instead, it was through a verbal note number 174 from July 6th, 2012, that the U.S. unilaterally imposed in the country. He added that this agreement was not only unfair but also did not meet the objective of the Nigerien people because first, it forced Niger to pay bills related to taxes on the American military. Secondly, Niger was not aware of the number of US civilian and military personnel on its soil or the amount of equipment deployed or information gathered about the terrorist, and third, the U.S. Military was under no obligation to respond to any request for help against militants. This means if Niger called for help in its fight against the terrorists, the U.S. had every right to refuse to help.

So, of what use is their military cooperation to Niger? This simply demonstrates that the U.S. military was in no way beneficial to Niger and yet they still had the guts to make demands. As Ibrahim Traore stated when he kicked out French forces, there is no use of a foreign military presence in the country if it’s not helping to fight the insecurity so the only left is for them to go and good riddance. Niger’s decision would no doubt cause another tremendous shift in African geopolitics and we look forward to seeing how it will all play out.

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