Colonel Amadou Abdel Rahman (center) considered that the American military presence in his country was “illegal” (Reuters)

The spokesman for the ruling military junta in Niger, Colonel Amadou Abdel Rahman, said yesterday, Saturday, that the council has canceled with immediate effect a military agreement with the United States that allows the presence of military personnel and civilian employees from the US Department of Defense (the Pentagon) on the country’s territory.

The decision comes in the wake of a visit a few days ago by American officials, led by US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Vee, including General Michael Langley, Commander of the US Africa Command.

The American delegation remained in Niamey for 3 days, during which it was unable to meet with General Omar Abdel Rahman Tiani, the leader of the military regime, according to a Nigerian government source.

Abdel Rahman said, "The arrival of the American delegation did not respect diplomatic norms," ​​adding that the American government informed Niamey "unilaterally" of the date of its arrival and the composition of its delegation.

He added that the discussions revolved around the current military transition in Niger and military cooperation between the two countries.

He pointed out that "the government of Niger has decided with all responsibility, taking the aspirations and interests of the people into account, to cancel with immediate effect the agreement regarding the placement of the United States military personnel and civilian employees of the US Department of Defense on the territory of Niger."

He also stressed that the American military presence in the country is “illegal” and “violates all constitutional and democratic rules.”

Niamey believes that the agreement signed between the two parties is “unfair,” and was “unilaterally imposed” by the United States through a “simple verbal note” on July 6, 2012.

Since last year, there have been about 1,100 American soldiers in Niger, where the American army operates from two bases, one of which is a drone base known as Air Base 201, which was built near Agadez in central Niger at a cost of more than $100 million.

This base has been used since 2018 to target ISIS fighters and the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims in the Sahel region.

Source: Agencies