Following a declaration by Niger's military junta that the presence of U.S. troops in the country is "illegal," the United States is actively seeking ways to maintain its military presence in Niger. Despite not receiving a formal request from the junta for the U.S. to vacate military bases, anti-American rallies erupted in the capital yesterday, with residents supporting the new military government's stance against the U.S. The situation escalated after a disaster visit by U.S. officials, criticized for lacking diplomatic protocol and disrespecting the junta, further straining relations. American officials are now quietly engaged in closed-door discussions to explore possibilities for retaining some level of security presence in Niger, emphasizing the importance of U.S. troops in combating extremism and protecting U.S. interests in the Sahel region as vital.
Recent indications that American military forces may leave Niger should not alarm us. | @DanDePetris https://t.co/rEW8cJOQjQ
The US military is trying to recalibrate after the junta in Niger declared their agreement null and void last week and said they had to start packing. https://t.co/k83DHf7cCv
Washington working on way to keep troops in African state A senior Pentagon official says a US military presence in Niger is vital for fighting extremists and threats to US interests in the Sahel https://t.co/cPNzOO6tYF https://t.co/eSKSFNABZJ
US Quietly Trying To Keep Troops In African Country That Wants To Kick Them Out https://t.co/OmOnD8Xw6n
So who knew that dropping in on a junta, blowing off protocol, wagging a finger at them about their behavior and their friends in Moscow and Tehran would have such an effect? @sahelblog on US diplomatic follies in the Sahel: https://t.co/k83DHf7cCv
Days after Niger’s military junta declared the presence of U.S. troops in that West African nation to be “illegal,” American officials are seeking in closed-door talks to determine if they can retain some sort of security presence in the country. https://t.co/rI4aSk404v
.@sahelblog on disaster visit ending w/junta saying they want American military out of Niger: 'To be lectured at by an American official whose rank is far junior to one’s own is an experience that many African officials tolerate, but it cannot be pleasant' https://t.co/vy9cWTqXpq
🇳🇪🇺🇸🚨‼️ Anti-American rallies took place in the capital of Niger yesterday. Residents of Niger demand that the American colonialists get out of their country and fully support the new military government of Niger, which broke the agreement with the United States on the military… https://t.co/zCudXdFe9I https://t.co/wpo6oe14HV
US says it has not received a formal request by Niger junta to leave military bases https://t.co/LwhXgZrJCg