US Sahel strategy in disarray as Niger ends military cooperation

The US counter-terrorism strategy in the Sahel is facing a tough test after Niger’s military rulers asked the US troops to leave the country, revoking a military cooperation deal.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the revocation came after senior US officials accused the country’s ruling junta of secretly exploring a deal to allow Iran access to its uranium reserves.

The decision throws the US strategy in the region into disarray as 1000 American soldiers are asked to leave the country.

The move is part of a trend in the wider Sahel where western troops are being kicked out in the Sahel, which witnessed coups bringing military rulers close to Russia.

Referring to relations with Russia, military spokesperson Col Abdramane said Niger is dealing with the country to “acquire military equipment necessary to its fight against the terrorists who have claimed thousands of innocent Nigerien victims under the indifferent eye of much of the international community.”

“The American presence in the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal,” Niger’s military spokesman, Col. Abdramane, said on national television.

The U.S. military presence “violates all the constitutional and democratic rules, which would require the sovereign people — notably through its elected officials — to be consulted on the installation of a foreign army on its territory,” he said.

“We are aware of the statement from the CNSP in Niger, which follows frank discussions at senior levels in Niamey this week about our concerns with the CNSP’s trajectory,” he said in a message on X, formerly Twitter.

The US has stationed drones in its 100-million-dollar air base in northern Niger, near Agadez.