After requesting the departure of the 1,500 French soldiers in Niger, the new authorities in Niamey, stemming from the July 26 coup against the ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, now seek to renegotiate military agreements with other countries that have forces stationed in Niger. While Niamey aims to renegotiate, it does not formally close the door to the continued presence of foreign troops.
In a note from the Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed to diplomatic missions accredited to Niger, the country states that it “will proceed with a review of all agreements signed in the past with all partners.” The countries with soldiers stationed in Niger are not explicitly mentioned.
The United States and Germany have already expressed their desire to keep their troops, numbering 1,300 and 100, respectively.
Last week, the German Minister of Defense visited Niamey, expressing the wish for its 100 soldiers, based in Tillia in the northern Tahoua region, to stay and continue training Nigerien special forces.
Belgium, Italy, and other European states also have soldiers in Niger as part of the European Union mission EUCAP Sahel.
According to the Niger Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a draft agreement will be submitted to these countries to “infuse a new dynamic into bilateral cooperation.” Since the National Council for the Safeguard of the Nation (CNSP) took power, the new authorities are committed to asserting the country’s sovereignty and defending its interests.