The United States described military ties with Niger, which hosts a significant drone base, as mutually beneficial on Monday, while awaiting confirmation on a declaration suspending collaboration.
The military, which took power in Niger in July, claimed in a statement broadcast on national television Saturday evening that it was terminating an agreement with the United States “with immediate effect,” but diplomats said there were conflicting unofficial communications.
“We are in touch with the transition authorities to seek clarification of their comments and to discuss additional next steps,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said, referring to the coup leadership.
“Our security partnerships with West African partners are mutually beneficial and are intended to achieve what we believe to be shared goals of detecting, deterring and reducing terrorist violence and creating an environment conducive to economic and social development,” Patel said in a statement.
Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, has been a frontline partner in the West’s fight against Islamists in the Sahel, with the US spending $100 million on a desert drone base.
After gaining power, the junta expelled forces from former colonial power France and, like its military-run neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, cultivated relations with Russia.
However, the military had not intervened against the United States, which still maintains approximately 1,000 troops in the country.
Following a high-level US delegation’s visit to Niger, the junta issued a statement calling for the return of democracy.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken undertook a rare visit to Niger a year ago in an effort to support the elected prime minister, Mohamed Bazoum, who has since been placed under house arrest.