Amadou Abdramane is the spokesman for the junta and says that it is dissatisfaction that the American delegation did not follow the diplomatic protocol, did not inform about who would come or the date of arrival that is behind the decision.
Since the junta’s seizure of power in July 2023, cooperation with French and other European forces has ended, turning instead to Russia for support reports Reuters. The same decision has been taken in the neighboring countries of Mali and Burkina Faso.
– We regret the American delegation’s intention to deny us the choice of our partners to limit terrorism. We also condemn the condescending attitude and threats of retaliation by the United States against our government and our people, Abdramane said.
The junta’s fifth seizure of power
Last year, there were roughly 1,100 American soldiers on the ground in Niger. From two different bases, they have focused on fighting the Islamic State and al-Qaeda-related movements.
Abradame now claims that the military presence was illegal and forced.
Niger is a West African country plagued by both poverty and Islamist terrorism. When the military took power over the country in June 2023, it was for the fifth time. It prompted the West African cooperation body Ecowas to threaten military intervention and several countries to impose sanctions.
