By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Human Rights Activist and federal lawmaker that represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th senate, Senator Shehu Sani has reacted to the “quit notice” from the government of Niger Republic to the American troops stationed in that country, saying that it goes to show that they are determined to take back their country and chat a new future.
Shehu Sani who recalled how Nigerien government evicted French forces from their country earlier and now have issued a quit notice to the American troops, noted that the people of Niger are fumigating and deworming their country.
Reacting against the backdrop of steps taken by the government of Niger Republic on his X account on Sunday, Comrade Shehu Sani wrote:
“The Government of Niger Republic evicted French forces from their country & now have issued a quit notice to the American troops stationed there.The people of Niger are fumigating & deworming their country.They look determined to take back their country & chat a new future.”
Sundiata Post recalls that Niger’s ruling military junta has revoked with immediate effect, a military accord that allows US military personnel and civilian staff on its soil.
Further recall that as of 2023, there were about 1,100 US troops in Niger, where the US military operates out of two bases including a drone base known as airbase 201, built near Agadez in central Niger at a cost of more than US $100m.
The junta’s announcement follows a visit by US officials last week which was led by assistant secretary of state for African affairs Molly Phee and included Gen Michael Langley, commander of the US Africa command. Col Amadou Abdramane said on Niger television on Saturday that the US delegation did not follow diplomatic protocol, and that Niger was not informed about the composition of the delegation, the date of its arrival or the agenda.
He added that the discussions were around the current military transition in Niger, military cooperation between the two countries and Niger’s choice of partners in the fight against militants linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State.
Since seizing power in July 2023, the Niger junta, like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, have kicked out French and other European forces, and turned to Russia for support.
“Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism,” Abdramane said.
Also, the government of Niger forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people.”
Abdramane stopped short of saying US forces should leave. But he alleged their status and presence was illegal and violated constitutional and democratic rules because, he claimed, it was unilaterally imposed in 2012.
He said Niger was not aware of the number of US civilian and military personnel on its soil or the amount of equipment deployed and, according to the agreement, the US military had no obligation to respond to any request for help against militants.
In light of all the above, the government of Niger, revokes with immediate effect the agreement concerning the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the American department of defence on the territory of the Republic of Niger,” Abdramane said.
The US defence department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Apart from the Agadez airbase, the US has invested years and hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger’s military. Some of those forces were involved in the July overthrow of Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup, which triggered US laws restricting the military support and aid that it can provide to Niger. But in December, Phee said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.
