Protesters in Niger demand immediate withdrawal of US troops
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets on Sunday in Niger to voice their opposition to the presence of US troops in the country.
The protest comes as a delegation from Washington is set to arrive in the coming days to facilitate the orderly withdrawal of American soldiers.
Last Friday, the United States announced plans to pull out its more than 1,000 troops from Niger, where it established a $100 million base for operating drones.
The protest occurred in Agadez, a northern desert town that hosts a US air base, and was organised by a coalition of 24 civil society associations that have supported the military regime since last year’s coup.
“This is Agadez, not Washington, US army go home,” read a big banner held up by protesters.
Issouf Emoud, who fronts the M62 Movement in the town, told AFP: “Our message is clear: American soldiers pack your bags and go home”.
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He had also organised demonstrations demanding the departure of French forces which pulled out last year.
Niger has long been a linchpin in the US and French strategy to combat jihadists in West Africa.
The Nigerien military announced last month it was breaking off a defence agreement with the United States, claiming it had been imposed and the US troop presence was illegal.
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell agreed to remove the troops in a meeting in Washington with Niamey’s prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, US officials told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The US military deployment in Niger “is of no use for our security”, said civil society leader Amobi Arandishu.
“The armed groups still rage across the desert,” he told AFP. “Russians, Americans, Germans, French, they all come here for their own interests.”
Following the overthrow of elected president Mohamed Bazoum last July, the junta kicked out troops from former colonial power France before the end of 2023.
Russian military instructors arrived in Niger this month with an air defence system and other equipment, state media said, after talks between military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
