In Niamey, hundreds protest U.S. military presence, reflecting growing discontent with Western influence and a pivot towards Russian support.
By yourNEWS Media Staff
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Saturday to protest the presence of U.S. military forces, demanding their exit. This rally follows the Nigerien junta’s decision to terminate a military agreement with the United States and invite Russian military advisors into the country.
Protesters, echoing previous demonstrations against French military presence, marched through central Niamey, waving Nigerien flags. Notably, the demonstrations led to the exit of French forces last year after a military coup ousted the government. During the rally, signs such as “USA rush out of Niger” underscored the public’s support for the junta’s recent policy shifts.
Maria Saley, a participant in the march, expressed her views firmly: “We’re here to say no to the American base, we don’t want Americans on our soil.”
Niger, a vital ally of France and the U.S. prior to the coup, has shifted alignment, following neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso in distancing from Western military partnerships. These nations have also left the regional bloc ECOWAS, seeking stronger ties with Russia.
This week’s arrival of Russian military instructors and equipment signals a significant move towards cooperation with Moscow. However, concerns about potential long-term Russian military presence were voiced by Nigeriens, including Abdoulaye Seydou, a leader of the civil society group M62, and student Souleymane Ousmane. Ousmane warned, “This is how the French and the Americans and all the other countries settled in Niger—from military cooperation, they ended up occupying large parts of our country.”
Despite the junta’s announcement to end the U.S. military agreement, the future of American troops in Niger remains uncertain. In March, a high-ranking U.S. general hinted at ongoing support within the junta for the U.S. presence. The U.S. has invested significantly in the region, including over $100 million in a drone base known as Air Base 201.
Amidst these geopolitical shifts, the security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate, with conflict-related deaths rising by 38% in 2023, as reported by the crisis-monitoring group ACLED, highlighting over 8,000 fatalities in Burkina Faso alone.
