Highlights: A large American delegation to Niger to discuss cooperation between the two countries. The objective is to renew dialogue with the junta while Niamey has in recent months moved closer to new partners, notably Russia. A thousand American soldiers are still present in the country, in Agadez more precisely, on a drone base in which Washington has invested more than 100 million dollars. Washington will do everything to thwart the ambitions of Wagner or Africa Corps, the name of the new Russian entity in the Sahel.

In Niger, a high-level American delegation led by Molly Phee, the American Secretary of State for African Affairs, arrived in Niamey on Tuesday for a two-day visit.…

A large American delegation to Niger to discuss cooperation between the two countries

In Niger, a high-level American delegation led by Molly Phee, the American Secretary of State for African Affairs, arrived in Niamey on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

The objective is to renew dialogue with the junta while Niamey has in recent months moved closer to new partners, notably Russia.

US Deputy Secretary of State Molly Phee, assistant for African Affairs since 2021, will attend the Sudanese dialogue in Khartoum on June 8, 2022. © Flickr

By: RFI Follow

For this second visit to Niamey in just three months, Moly Phee is this time accompanied by an impressive delegation composed in particular of Céleste Wallender, the assistant secretary of Defense in charge of international security affairs and General Michael Langley, the boss of Africom.

On Tuesday, the delegation met with Prime Minister Lamine Zeine and several senior CNSP executives.

This Wednesday, she is due to meet the head of the junta, General Tiani.

According to Washington, this visit aims “

to continue the discussions initiated since August with the military concerning a return to the path of democracy and on the future of our partnership in terms of security and development

”.

Read alsoNiger: Washington says it is ready to resume its cooperation with Niamey, but under conditions

Countering Russian ambitions

Although the

United States

has suspended its cooperation with Niamey, a thousand American soldiers are still present in the country, in Agadez more precisely, on a drone base in which Washington has invested more than 100 million dollars.

However, voices are being raised within civil society close to the junta to demand the departure of American forces.

How far are the Americans willing to go to save their base?

One thing is certain, says an observer, Washington will do everything to thwart the ambitions of Wagner or Africa Corps, the name of the new Russian entity in the Sahel.

Read alsoNiger: Washington says it is ready to resume its cooperation with Niamey, but under conditions

A large American delegation to Niger to discuss cooperation between the two countries

A large American delegation to Niger to discuss cooperation between the two countries

Countering Russian ambitions

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