WASHINGTON: The United States (US) is repositioning some of its forces from a base in Niger’s capital city Niamey to another in the Agadez area “out of an abundance of caution,” the Pentagon stated on Thursday.
Washington Conducting ‘Precautionary’ Repositioning of Troops in Niger: Pentagon
The US Defense Department is moving some of its forces and assets from Air Base 101 in Niger’s capital to Air Base in Agadez, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said. The officials expressed these views while talking to media persons. She termed it a precautionary step.
France and Niger
The move comes as demonstrators in Niger on Sunday asked former colonial power France to withdraw its army. AFP reported that the protestors were chanting slogans like “France, get out” and repeating slogans heard at several rallies in the country’s capital since the military coup on July 26.
Niger’s new rulers had fired a new verbal broadside at Paris on Friday, blaming France of “blatant interference” by supporting the country’s deposed President.
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Ties with France, and partner in its fight against terrorism, went quickly downhill following France stood by deposed president Bazoum.
On August 3, the military rulers announced the scrapping of defense deals with Paris, which has around 1,500 soldiers stationed in Niger. Niger’s military governments have also announced to expel the French envoy Sylvain Itte and said they are also withdrawing his diplomatic protection. The rulers said his presence in the country constituted a danger to public order.
However, French President Macron last Monday lauded Itte’s work in Niger and said the ambassador to remain in the African country despite being given a deadline to leave the country.
