Protests Erupt in Hundreds in Demanding US Military Exit in Niger

NIAMEY, NIGER — Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Niamey, the capital of Niger, this past Saturday, voicing a strong demand for the removal of United States military forces from the country. This public outcry follows the military government's decision to end a significant military agreement with the US and to invite Russian military instructors into the country.

In March, Niger Junta suspended its military cooperation with the US after military government leaders severed ties with France last year.

Protesters, united in their sentiment and marching arm in arm, waved Nigerien flags and displayed signs such as “USA rush out of Niger,” echoing the tone of previous anti-French demonstrations. These protests had contributed to the withdrawal of French military forces following last year's coup, which ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

Maria Saley, one of the protesters, shared with Reuters, “We’re here to say no to the American base, we don’t want Americans on our soil.” Chants like “Down with American imperialism” and “The people’s liberation is on the march,” filled the air, highlighting the nationalistic fervour among the demonstrators.

Prior to the coup, Niger was a crucial ally for Western powers, including France and the US, in their efforts to combat insurgent groups in the Sahel region of West Africa. The US had about 650 military personnel in Niger as of December, according to a White House report to Congress. These troops operated primarily out of a major airbase in Agadez, which has been pivotal for manned and unmanned surveillance missions targeting jihadist groups like ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM).

The recent pivot towards Russia by Niger's new military rulers mirrors similar shifts in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which have also ended military contracts with Western countries and exited the regional political and economic bloc, ECOWAS, in favor of fostering relations with Moscow.

Despite some public support for Russian military assistance, concerns remain about the potential for a permanent foreign military presence. Abdoulaye Seydou, a civil society leader, expressed reservations: “We must not subsequently see the implementation of Russian foreign military bases,” a sentiment echoed by student Souleymane Ousmane who cautioned against the historical pattern of military cooperation evolving into occupation.

The future of US military presence in Niger remains uncertain as discussions and tensions continue to unfold.