The Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, recently revealed why his country’s relationship with the United States deteriorated. This poses some significance given the fact that Niger had been the US’s closest ally in the West African region. Despite former close ties, Niger has decided to replace US partnerships with other countries that have encouraged their administrative transition.
Recently, the military ties between the United States and its most important West African ally, Niger, deteriorated following the threats a visiting US official made during last-ditch negotiations over whether American troops stationed in Niger could remain, according to the country’s prime minister.
Following a turn of events, US troops were asked to exit the country, as Russian troops arrived in its place.
In an interview with the Washington Post, the Prime Minister of Niger blamed the collapse of the relationship between both countries directly on the United States, accusing American officials of attempting to dictate which nations Niger could partner with, and refusing to give its rationale for the presence of its army in Niger.
This rift created the perfect storm for Russia to form a relationship with the West African country, and position itself as the country’s most valid partner, a scenario that the US would rather have not happen.
However, following the July 26th military takeover in Niger which ousted the former president Mohamed Bazoum, the United States began placing harsh sanctions on the country, in an attempt to restore democratic rule in the region.
They had halted counterterrorism operations, which had entailed gathering intelligence on regional extremist activity from a sizable drone base in the country’s north, and suspended security support as required by U.S. law, despite keeping over 1000 of the troops in the country.
This did not sit well with the new Junta government headed by Abdourahamane Tchiani, which felt dissatisfied with the US’s support as a partner. The Prime Minister noted that Niger stopped feeling like a valid partner to the US especially considering how far the US is going with its support to Ukraine and Israel.
“The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns,” The prime minister stated.
“It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us. We have seen what the United States will do to defend its allies because we have seen Ukraine and Israel,” he added.
He also noted that other major global powers such as Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, welcomed their administrative transition, hence the reason Niger is welcoming the Russian partnership at the expense of their US ties.
Another reason the relationship between both countries soured according to the Prime Minister is because of a comment from the State Department’s top African affairs official, Molly Phee that had irritated the Nigerien leaders.
Phee had advised the Junta government in a March during her visit to Niamey, to desist from engaging in ways that Washington found objectionable with Iran and Russia if Niger wished to maintain its security relationship with the United States. He also stated Phee had further threatened penalties if Niger pursued an agreement to export uranium to Iran.
“When she finished, I said, ‘Madame, I am going to summarize in two points what you have said,’” Zeine disclosed.
“First, you have come here to threaten us in our country. That is unacceptable. And you have come here to tell us with whom we can have relationships, which is also unacceptable. And you have done it all with a condescending tone and a lack of respect,” he further narrated.
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