IN a fervent display of dissent, hundreds of demonstrators converged on the streets of Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday, demanding the withdrawal of US troops. The protest follows a significant policy shift by the ruling junta, which terminated a military agreement with the United States and welcomed Russian military instructors.
Marching in solidarity through central Niamey, protesters brandished Nigerien flags, evoking memories of past anti-French protests that led to the withdrawal of French forces from Niger last year following a military coup. Amid the crowd, a handwritten sign in English bore the message ‘USA rush out of Niger,’ echoing support for the junta’s decision to revoke the accord that permitted around 1,000 US military personnel to operate from two bases in Niger.
‘We’re here to say no to the American base, we don’t want Americans on our soil,’ protester Maria Saley told Reuters, reflecting the sentiment of many participating in the march.
Niger had previously stood as a crucial security partner for France and the United States, serving as a base for international efforts to combat the long-standing Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region of West Africa. However, the recent political upheaval has prompted Niger to align itself more closely with Russia, severing ties with former Western allies and signalling a departure from regional blocs like ECOWAS.
The arrival of Russian military instructors and equipment earlier in the week underscores the junta’s inclination towards enhanced cooperation with Moscow, as Russia seeks to expand its influence in Africa. While a few Russian flags were spotted among the protesters, concerns linger among some citizens about the potential establishment of permanent Russian military bases in Niger.
Abdoulaye Seydou, coordinator of the M62 coalition of civil society groups, cautioned against a repeat of history, stating, ‘We must not subsequently see the implementation of Russian foreign military bases.’ Similar sentiments were echoed by student Souleymane Ousmane, who warned against the risk of foreign occupation arising from military cooperation.
Despite the junta’s decision to end the military accord with the United States, the timeline for the withdrawal of US troops remains uncertain. In March, the top US general hinted at possible support within Niger’s junta for continued American military presence, despite the annulment of the agreement.
One of the notable US programmes in Niger is Air Base 201, a drone base constructed at a cost exceeding $100 million. The region’s security landscape has been tumultuous, with conflict fatalities escalating by 38 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to reports from the US-based crisis-monitoring group ACLED. Burkina Faso alone witnessed over 8,000 reported fatalities last year, highlighting the urgency of security efforts in the central Sahel.
As geopolitical dynamics evolve in the region, the protest in Niamey serves as a visible manifestation of the shifting alliances and concerns over foreign military presence, signalling a new chapter in Niger’s geopolitical trajectory.
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