In a swift move that has sent tremors through U.S. foreign relations in West Africa, Niger’s military junta has severed an agreement that allowed U.S. military personnel to operate in its country. 

The announcement, made by junta spokesperson Col. Amadou Abdramane in a televised address on March 16, was made days after an official visit by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee and Gen. Michael E. Langley, U.S. head of military operations in Africa, to the capital city of Niamey. 

“The American presence on the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal,” Abdramane stated, adding that it “violates all the constitutional and democratic rules, which would require the sovereign people — notably through its elected officials — to be consulted on the installation of a foreign army on its territory.” 

Additionally, the junta has decried the “condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people.”

Formerly, U.S. officials have voiced concerns about Niger's political direction in internal and foreign affairs.

In a press briefing by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre from March 18, the official touched upon the U.S. delegation's visit to Niamey prior to the junta announcement and asserted that the U.S.' goal was "to explore how we can chart a common path forward and our concerns about the lack of progress towards a democratic transition and operational consideration for us to maintain a long-term security partnership."

The "democratic transition" possibly alludes to Niger's internal politics and struggles with stabilizing its governmental affairs.

In a July 2023 military coup, Niger's military removed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum from office and replaced him with Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a previous commander of the Nigerien presidential guard. A generous donor of humanitarian aid and a longtime executor of anti-terrorism operations in Niger, the U.S. deemed the coup illegal.

Additionally, America has been observing Niger's relations with other foreign powers and recent allies.

"U.S. officials expressed concern over Niger's potential relationships with Russia and Iran," stated Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh.

However, the scrutiny was ill-received by Niger's new leaders, which became part of its rationale in the decision to sever military ties with the U.S. by asserting that "Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to den