The United States on Tuesday declared that the July takeover in Niger was a military coup d’etat, which results in officially suspending assistance to Niger, but there are no plans to change the U.S. troop presence in the country, senior administration officials said.
Niger has been a key partner for Washington’s fight against Islamist insurgents who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.
The decision, which limits what assistance Washington can provide the country, was made after it became clear the junta did not want to abide by constitutional guidelines to restore civilian and democratic rule, a senior official said.
Assistance that would be affected by the coup designation was already paused, but Tuesday’s decision officially suspends it.
“We’re taking this action because over the last two months, we’ve exhausted all available avenues to preserve constitutional order in Niger,” the official said.
Despite the coup designation, the United States at this time has no plans to change its troop posture in the country, another official said.
Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Nigerien forces in counterterrorism and operated two military bases, including one that conducts drone missions against Islamic State and an Al Qaeda affiliate in the region.
One official said that counterterrorism operations in Niger will remain paused in the interim and activities to build the capacity of Niger’s armed forces will be suspended.
France began withdrawing its first troops from Niger on Tuesday, weeks after President Emmanuel Macron said he was recalling his ambassador and would order the return of 1,500 troops posted in the country.
France’s decision came after weeks of escalating tensions between France and the new military leaders in Niger, who seized power in a coup in July. It also capped years of waning influence for France, a former colonizer in West Africa.
Peoplesmind