Nigerien leader blames US threats for break in military ties

Niger’s prime minister blamed the U.S. for the deterioration of relations between the two countries as roughly 1,000 American troops prepare to withdraw from Niamey in the coming months.

Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine told The Washington Post that the U.S. has tried to dictate what countries Niamey can have close relations with and has not justified its military presence, citing an American failure to combat terrorism.

Zeine compared the failure of U.S. troops to stop a growing terrorist threat in Niger to what he said was a more robust American backing of its allies Israel and Ukraine in their respective threats.

“The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns,” he told The Post. “It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us.”

Zeine also took offense at what he said was U.S. officials demanding that Niger not engage closely with Iran and Russia, two of Washington’s adversaries.

He claimed there was an ultimatum to have security with the U.S. or be close to Tehran and Moscow, while pursuing an Iranian deal for uranium would result in American sanctions. Zeine said Niger has not signed a deal for uranium.

“First, you have come here to threaten us in our country. That is unacceptable,” he told The Post. “And you have come here to tell us with whom we can have relationships, which is also unacceptable. And you have done it all with a condescending tone and a lack of respect.”

A U.S. official told the newspaper that Niger was “presented with a choice, not an ultimatum” about continuing relations.

Niger fell to a military coup last year, which saw the placement of Zeine as prime minister after the ouster of the country’s former president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Since then, the nation has grown more hostile to western forces closer to U.S. adversaries, welcoming Russian military trainers this year and Iran’s president in a state visit.

Niger ordered France to withdraw troops before negotiating with the U.S. on a new agreement that ultimately culminated in the Pentagon announcing it would eventually withdraw all its forces last month after more than a decade in the country.

The coming withdrawal is another setback for the U.S. in the African Sahel region, which has experienced multiple coups in the past few years that have ultimately benefitted Russia.

Zeine claimed to The Post that after the French withdrew troops following the coup, Niger was open to keeping the American presence there but said they failed to reach an agreement for more military resources. The U.S. has expressed concern about Niger not pushing to restore democracy in the country.