The government of Niger declared the termination of an agreement with the United States that allowed military and civilian personnel from the Ministry of Defence to work in Niger, CNN reported.
During the three-day diplomatic meeting, Nigerian and American officials discussed the military transition in Niger and military co-operation between the two countries.
A few days after the talks, the government of Niger stated the following:
“The government of Niger, taking into account the aspirations and interests of its people, decides with full responsibility to denounce with immediate effect the agreement relating to the status of military personnel of the United States and civilian employees of the American Department of Defence in the territory of the Republic of Niger,” according to Niger military spokesman Colonel Major Amadou Abdramane.
Abdramane added that the agreement between the two countries, signed in 2012, was imposed on Niger and had been in violation of the “constitutional and democratic rules” of the West African nation’s sovereignty.
“This agreement is not only profoundly unfair in its substance but it also does not meet the aspirations and interests of the Nigerien people,” he said.
Abdramane further stated, after the negotiations had concluded, that the US delegation had been received out of “courtesy” and “did not respect diplomatic practices” by not providing information regarding the date of its arrival, the composition of the delegation and the purpose of the visit.
“The government of Niger regrets the desire of the American delegation to deny the Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and the types of partnerships capable of helping them truly fight against terrorists,” Abdramane said.
He highlighted that Niger “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude” of the US, but despite this he rejected allegations of a secret deal struck between Niger, Russia and Iran.
