What's Next for Niger After the Termination of Defense Cooperation With the U.S.?

Niger's termination of defense cooperation with the United States will likely result in the departure of U.S. troops and pave the way for the deployment of Russian paramilitary personnel in the country, likely resulting in a further deterioration of Niger's security environment in the medium term. On March 16, spokesperson for Niger's military junta Amadou Abdramane announced that Niger was immediately halting bilateral defense cooperation with the United States, adding that the presence of U.S. troops in the country was now illegal. Bilateral defense cooperation notably included a status of forces agreement allowing about 1,000 U.S. civilian and military personnel as well as two military facilities in Niger. One of the facilities is Air Base 201 near Agadez in the center of the country, which is essential to U.S. surveillance and counterterrorism operations in Niger and neighboring Libya. ...