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Niger Breaks Off Military Deal With US

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase….reports Asian Lite News

In a blow to the US security presence in Niger, the latter has suspended its military agreement with the former “with immediate effect”, Al Jazeera reported quoting the Niger’s ruling military spokesman, Colonel Amadou Abdramane.

The agreement that allowed US military personnel and civilian defence staff to operate from Niger lost its existence a week after senior US officials, led by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and US Africa Command head General Michael Langley, visited the West African country earlier this week to discuss democratic transition.

The pact played a central role in the US military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region and is home to a major airbase.

Speaking on local television, Abdramane said 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, Al Jazeera reported.

“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.

The US military had some 650 personnel working in Niger in December, according to a White House report to Congress. The US military operates a major airbase in the Niger city of Agadez, some 920km (572 miles) from the capital of Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations.

According to the Al Jazeera report, a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez was built at a cost of more than USD 100 million. Since 2018 the base has been used to target ISIL (ISIS) fighters and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera correspondent Shihab Rattansi said the move is “a huge blow to the US”.

“Niger is the centre of US operations in west and north Africa, notably at its Air Base 201, the most expensive construction project ever undertaken by the US government. It’s there for war on terror operations but it’s really there also for great power projection against countries like Russia and China.”

Last October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup. But in December, the top US envoy for Africa, Phee, said the US was willing to restore aid and security ties if Niger met certain conditions.

The military said the delegation had accused Niger of partnering with Russia and Iran on “secret” deals, which the government denies. Officials also said the US had “threatened” action against Niger if the Niamey fails to cut ties with both countries.

The military government “forcefully denounces the condescending attitude accompanied by the threat of retaliation from the head of the American delegation towards the Nigerien government and people”, spokesman Abdramane added.

Niger has been under military rule since July 2023 when an elite guard force led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani detained President Mohamed Bazoum and declared Tchiani ruler.

Like the military rulers in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has also kicked out French and other European forces. Both Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to Russia for support. (ANI)

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Niger Okays Algeria Mediation Plan

The West African country has been under military rule for over two months…reports Asian Lite News

Niger has accepted Algeria’s mediation proposal aimed at finding a political solution to the ongoing crisis in the West African country, the Algerian Foreign Ministry has announced in a statement.

After Niger’s acceptance of Algeria’s mediation proposal, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has instructed the foreign minister to travel to Niamey, the capital of Niger, to start preparatory talks with all concerned parties, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement issued on Monday.

Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad Ahmed Attaf said in late August that his country had put forth a political solution to address the ongoing crisis in neighbouring Niger. 

The primary objective of the political solution is to establish a six-month timeframe for crafting and implementing a political solution that ensures the return of constitutional and democratic governance in Niger.

A military coup took place on July 26 in Niger, resulting in the ousting of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum by a faction of military officers.

Following the event, the 15-member Economic Community of West African States announced on August 10 that it has resolved to deploy its standby force to restore constitutional order in Niger.

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Mali, Niger, Burkina sign mutual defense pact

The Liptako-Gourma region — where the Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger borders meet — has been ravaged by terrorism in recent years…reports Asian Lite News

The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger on Saturday signed a mutual defense pact, ministerial delegations from the three Sahel countries announced in Mali’s capital Bamako.

The Liptako-Gourma Charter establishes the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Mali’s junta leader Assimi Goita posted on X, the social network formerly known as Twitter.

Its aim is to “establish an architecture of collective defense and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations,” he wrote.

The Liptako-Gourma region — where the Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger borders meet — has been ravaged by terrorism in recent years.

“This alliance will be a combination of military and economic efforts between the three countries,” Mali’s Defense Minister Abdoulaye Diop told journalists.

“Our priority is the fight against terrorism in the three countries.”

A terrorist insurgency that erupted in northern Mali in 2012 spread to Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.

All three countries have undergone coups since 2020, most recently Niger, where soldiers in July overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.

The West African regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened to intervene militarily in Niger over the coup.

Mali and Burkina Faso quickly responded by saying that any such operation would be deemed a “declaration of war” against them.

The charter signed on Saturday binds the signatories to assist one another — including militarily — in the event of an attack on any one of them.

“Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties shall be considered as an aggression against the other parties and shall give rise to a duty of assistance… including the use of armed force to restore and ensure security,” it states.

It also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

Mali has, in addition to fighting terrorists linked to Al Qaeda and the Daesh group, seen a resumption of hostilities by predominantly Tuareg armed groups over the past week.

The escalation risks testing an already stretched army as well as the junta’s claims that it has successfully turned around a dire security situation.

The successionist groups had in 2012 launched a rebellion before signing a peace agreement with the state in 2015. But that accord is now generally considered moribund.

‘French envoy being held hostage’

French President Emmanuel Macron aid that the French Ambassador to Niger and other French diplomats are “literally being held hostage at the French Embassy,” reported CNN. 

France has been at odds with Niger’s new military leadership, after France’s refusal to accept the July 26 coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, a French ally. French President Emmanuel Macron has continued to support Bazoum, who is still being held.

During Macron’s visit to the Golden Coast region in France, Macron said the embassy in Niamey is not getting food delivered to them.

“Food was prevented from being delivered” to the embassy in Niamey, and the ambassador was “eating military rations,” he said.

Macron further said that the French Ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte “cannot go out”, according to CNN.

Reportedly, the military junta ordered Itte to leave the country as soon as they seized control of the West African country in July.

However, later on, it revoked his visa and asked police to expel him, reported CNN.

According to Macron, he remained in place and the French authorities reiterated that they do not recognize the junta authorities, according to CNN.

When asked about bringing the ambassador back to France, Macron said that, “

Asked if he would work on bringing the ambassador back home, Macron emphasized “I will do whatever we agree on with President Mohamed Bazoum because he is the legitimate authority and I speak with him every day.”

Moreover, Itte is still working, according to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, reported CNN.

Colonna in an interview said, “The ambassador is working, I can confirm that, and he is very useful through his contacts, his team, there is still a small team with him,” CNN reported.

She further said that Itte “will stay as long as we want him to stay” and his return will depend on Macron’s decision.

However, France is reportedly in discussions with the military of Niger over the possible withdrawal of its troops from the West African country due to the deterioration of relations following a coup in July, Al Jazeera reported citing French media reports.

Nicolas Normand, a former French ambassador to Mali and Senegal, confirmed the information to Al Jazeera, stating that, in accordance with his sources, negotiations to “partially” evacuate soldiers between the French and Niger forces were in progress.

The discussions between the two militaries, according to Normand’s source, should not be seen as a recognition of the coup leaders but rather as a “technical” discussion.

Thousands of people rallied for days in the capital Niamey in support of the new regime’s uncompromising attitude against the former colonial power and the coup leaders’ call for the French ambassador and military to leave Niger. 

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US Troops Repositioning in Niger Following French Exit Demand

The discussions between the two militaries, according to Normand’s source, should not be seen as a recognition of the coup leaders but rather as a “technical” discussion…reports Asian Lite News

The United States is shifting troops from Niger’s capital, Niamey—where a coup occurred in July—to the Agadez region, according to the Pentagon.

With about 1,100 military personnel in Niger, the Defence Department notes that they’ve primarily remained on bases, reducing activities like joint training since the coup.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasised that there is no immediate threat or violence against US personnel, characterizing the move as a precautionary measure.

A small contingent will remain at Air Base 101, while some non-essential personnel and contractors have already left the country.

Niger has been pivotal for American and French anti-jihadist efforts, and France is also discussing withdrawing parts of its presence there.

Nicolas Normand, a former French ambassador to Mali and Senegal, confirmed the information to Al Jazeera, stating that, in accordance with his sources, negotiations to “partially” evacuate soldiers between the French and Niger forces were in progress.

The discussions between the two militaries, according to Normand’s source, should not be seen as a recognition of the coup leaders but rather as a “technical” discussion.

France has been at odds with Niger’s new military leadership, after France’s refusal to accept the July 26 coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, a French ally. French President Emmanuel Macron has continued to support Bazoum, who is still being held.

Thousands of people rallied for days in the capital Niamey in support of the new regime’s uncompromising attitude against the former colonial power and the coup leaders’ call for the French ambassador and military to leave Niger.

As part of France’s larger campaign against armed rebels in the Sahel region, about 1,500 French troops are stationed in Niger. After coups forced withdrawal of French forces from adjacent Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger became a crucial hub for France, Al Jazeera reported.

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Nigerian President to attend G20 Summit, to meet business leaders

Bola Tinubu from Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress ( https://twitter.com/OfficialAPCNg)

While Nigeria’s membership of the G-20 is desirable, the government has embarked on wide-ranging consultations with a view to ascertaining the benefits and risks of membership…reports Asian Lite News

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu is all set to visit Delhi to attend the G20 summit, scheduled to take place on September 9 and 10.

According to an official statement released by Special Adviser to the President Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Tinbu will participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

The President aims to leverage this platform to attract global capital and promote increased foreign direct investments in key labour-intensive sectors of Nigeria’s economy for job creation and revenue expansion.

Moreover, he will use this opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination, specifically outlining his cross-sectoral reform plan as encapsulated by the Renewed Hope Agenda, according to the statement.

The President will also hold bilateral meetings with a cross-section of world leaders from four different continents, representing both G-20 and non–G20 countries. These engagements are geared towards strengthening bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships for mutual benefit, as per the statement.

At the G20 Summit, the Nigerian leader is expected to share Nigeria’s perspective on the theme, “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” which speaks to the global unity required to address the challenges facing humanity and the planet.

With its collective contribution of up to 80 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade, and housing 60 per cent of the world’s population, the G-20 constitutes a significant economic power bloc of socio-economic opportunity and geo-political stability.

While Nigeria’s membership of the G-20 is desirable, the government has embarked on wide-ranging consultations with a view to ascertaining the benefits and risks of membership.

The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union.

India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1 last year with the theme — ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Niger’s leadership asks French envoy to leave

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Niger’s leadership asks French envoy to leave

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday criticised Niger’s coup-makers and demanded the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum…reports Asian Lite News

Niger’s military leadership has asked the French ambassador to depart from the country. The move further escalates the international crisis in the West African nation after a coup that deposed the democratically elected president, Al Jazeera reported.

French Ambassador Sylvain Itte was asked to leave Niger within 48 hours in a letter that accused him of ignoring an invitation for a meeting with the foreign ministry.

The letter dated Friday, also cited “actions of the French government contrary to the interests of Niger” as among the reasons for Itte’s expulsion.

France’s foreign ministry on Friday said Niger’s “putschists have no authority” to ask its ambassador in Niamey to leave.

Niger, a former French colony, was France’s partner before last month’s coup in the fight against armed groups. A growing wave of anti-French sentiment has followed recent coups in the region with some locals accusing the European country of interfering in their affairs, as per Al Jazeera.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday criticised Niger’s coup-makers and demanded the release of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum.

The military leader, General Abdrahmane Tchiani, signed two executive orders authorising the “security forces of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene on Niger territory in the event of aggression”, military official Oumarou Ibrahim Sidi said late Thursday after hosting a delegation from the two countries in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, according to Al Jazeera.

Sidi did not provide further details about the military support from the two countries whose military regimes have said any use of force by the West African bloc ECOWAS against Niger’s military government would be treated as an act of war against their own nations.

The agreement was the latest of several actions taken by Niger’s soldiers to defy sanctions and consolidate a military leadership they say will rule for up to three years, further escalating the crisis after last month’s coup in the country of more than 25 million people. (ANI)

ALSO READ-New US envoy Fitzgibbon arrives in Niger

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New US envoy Fitzgibbon arrives in Niger

The US has been pressing for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis that erupted on July 26 when Niger military officers seized power, deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest…reports Asian Lite News

Kathleen Fitzgibbon, the new US Ambassador to Niger, has arrived in the capital, Niamey, but will not formally present her credentials due to the “current political crisis,” the US State Department announced on Saturday.

“At the direction of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Ambassador Kathleen Fitzgibbon has traveled to Niamey to lead our diplomatic mission in Niger and bolster efforts to help resolve the political crisis at this critical time,” it said in a statement.

“As a career senior diplomat with significant experience specializing in West Africa, she is uniquely positioned to lead US government efforts in support of the American community and the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy,” the State Department added.

Fitzgibbon’s arrival in Niger “does not reflect a change in our policy position but responds to the need for senior leadership of our mission at a challenging time,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

The US has been pressing for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis that erupted on July 26 when Niger military officers seized power, deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest.

Fitzgibbon’ “diplomatic focus will be to advocate for a diplomatic solution that preserves the constitutional order in Niger and for the immediate release of President Bazoum and his family, and all those unlawfully detained,” said Miller.

West Africa’s main regional bloc on Friday said it had agreed an undisclosed “D-Day” for a possible military intervention to restore democracy in Niger if diplomatic efforts fail.

“We remain committed to working with African partners, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to promote security, stability, democratic governance, and the rule of law in the Sahel,” Miller added.

Fitzgibbon is a career diplomat who was confirmed in the post by the US Senate in July, nearly a year after she was nominated.

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Niger’s military junta vows to prosecute ousted President for treason

Soldiers in Niger detained Bazoum on July 26 and chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, former leader of the country’s presidential guard, to lead the CNSP, a governing body established by them after the coup…reports Asian Lite News

Niger’s junta, which seized power following a coup in July, has vowed to prosecute ousted President Mohamed Bazoum for “high treason” and slammed West African leaders for imposing sanctions on the country.

Bazoum would be prosecuted “for high treason and undermining the internal and external security of Niger”, Xinhua news agency quoted Col Maj Amadou Abdramane, a member of the country’s Defence and Security Forces and the newly-established National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP), as saying late Sunday.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on Niger in response to the July 26 coup and approved the deployment of a “standby force to restore constitutional order” in the country as soon as possible but remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis, with Niger’s coup leaders denouncing the sanctions as “illegal, inhumane and humiliating”, according to the local media.

Soldiers in Niger detained Bazoum on July 26 and chose Abdourahamane Tchiani, former leader of the country’s presidential guard, to lead the CNSP, a governing body established by them after the coup.

The junta has also indefinitely shut the country’s airspace.

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Niger’s ousted president deprived of “all human contact”

For the past week, the president was living without electricity, Bazoum said ad added that all the perishable food that he received was gone bad and now he is eating pasta and dry rice…reports Asian Lite News

Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard, said he has been deprived of all human contact and was given just dry rice and pasta by the military junta, CNN reported.

In a series of text messages to a friend, Bazoum said that he has been “deprived of all human contact” since Friday, with no one supplying him food or medicine.

Bazoum’s messages were given to CNN with the ousted president’s consent.

For the past week, the president was living without electricity, Bazoum said ad added that all the perishable food that he received was gone bad and now he is eating pasta and dry rice.

Despite his isolation, Bazoum has been in contact with the outside world. Though denied the chance to speak with acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland during her visit to Niamey, the Nigerien capital, on Monday, Bazoum spoke by phone with her boss – Secretary of State Antony Blinken – a day later, the State Department said.

Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou, the prime minister in Bazoum’s government, told French TV that the president was in good spirits despite being held in a “catastrophic situation.”

Hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the political conflict, however, have begun to fade, reported CNN.

The US had earlier also shown its concern towards the Niger situation. On Wednesday United States State Secretary Antony Blinken has spoken to Niger’s President and reiterated America’s calls for his release.

On his social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) Blinken said that he spoke to Niger’s President to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis.

“Spoke to Nigerien President Bazoum to express our continued efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the current constitutional crisis. The United States reiterates our call for the immediate release of him and his family,” he posted on the social media platform X.

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup d’etat by the presidential guard.

Despite the international pressure, the Niger junta is not ready for diplomatic talks, according to CNN. (ANI)

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India asks its nationals to leave Niger

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when the country’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup. …reports Asian Lite News

Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory asking Indian nationals whose presence is not essential in Niger to leave the country as soon as possible, following the coup in the African nation.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at a media briefing on Friday that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in Niger and also asked the people to reconsider their plans if they are travelling to Niamey.

“Government of India is closely monitoring ongoing developments in Niger. In light of the prevailing situation, Indian nationals whose presence is not essential are advised to leave the country as soon as possible. They may bear in mind that airspace is currently closed. When departing through a land border, utmost precautions may be taken to ensure safety and security. Those who may be planning travel to Niger in the coming days are also similarly advised to reconsider their travel plans until the situation normalizes,” said MEA.

“All those Indian nationals who have not registered with the Indian embassy in Niamey (Niger capital) are strongly advised to do so expeditiously. Indian nationals can reach emergency contact in the embassy of India in Niamey: +22799759975”, added MEA.

Responding to the question about the number of Indians stuck in Niger, Bagchi said, “About 250 Indians are there. MEA is requesting those who have not registered their names to the Indian embassy to register themselves. Indian Embassy in Niamey is in touch with the Indian communities and we have been told that they are safe.”

Niger has been engulfed in political chaos since late last month when the country’s President Mohamed Bazoum was ousted in a coup. Following the military coup Abdourahamane Tiani, the commander of Niger’s presidential guard has declared himself the country’s leader.

The uncertainty has rattled residents in Niamey, the capital. Some people flocked to supermarkets to purchase staples like rice and cooking oil in bulk, while others attempted to flee. Employees of local bus companies said most lines out of the capital were fully booked, CNN reported.

At the busy Wadata market, east of the capital’s centre, many shoppers buying food and necessities Monday voiced apprehension about what might come.

Pro-junta demonstrators, meanwhile, gathered Sunday at a 30,000-seat stadium in Niamey to voice their support for the military government and their opposition to ECOWAS sanctions, CNN reported. (ANI)

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