Brussels 10.08.2023 The U.S. diplomats familiar with the discussions said the Niger military junta made it clear to Nuland and the other U.S. officials present that they believe very strongly that their seizure of power was just, that they have broad public support, and that the deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was no longer the legitimate leader of Niger. The newly appointed Defence Minister also made it clear that the coup leaders would not release Bazoum from house detention and that he would not be returned to power. Moreover the officers could not guarantee Bazoum’s safety, especially if outside military forces intervene in Niger.

In late September 2016, Pentagon spokeswoman, Michelle Baldanza, announced that the U.S. was financing the construction of a new 3 km runway and associated infrastructure for a drone base at Agadez in the North of Niger. The U.S. military already have drones, including MQ-9 Reaper model, stationed at Niamey to support France’s anit-Islaimists Operation Barkhane.

While Baldanza estimated U.S. investment in the Agadez base at $50M, some other sources have put the figure at nearer $100M. According to declassified Pentagon documents, Niger is “the only country in the region accepting to host MQ-9 US drones which are able conduct air strikes.”

According to the same source, Niger “has positioned itself to become a crucial base for U.S. operations in the region. Agadez is a strategic centre for launching reconnaissance and surveillance against a plethora of terrorist groups.” The U.S. will use the Agadez base to conduct reconnaissance operations over Niger and Chad, as well as Libya and Nigeria, and further afield.

Adam Moore, at the University of California (UCLA), who studies U.S. military activity in Africa, says: “There is a tendency to a greater commitment and a more permanent presence in the Maghreb and Sahel.” The investment in Agadez, he continued, “suggests that Niger is becoming, after Djibouti, the second-largest African country for U.S. anti-terrorist operations.”