https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240329/us-congress-calls-on-pentagon-chief-to-report-on-support-for-coup-leaders-in-africa-1065816003.html
US Congress Calls on Pentagon Chief to Report on Support for Coup Leaders in Africa
US Congress Calls on Pentagon Chief to Report on Support for Coup Leaders in Africa
Sputnik Africa
At least 15 officers receiving security assistance from Washington have participated in 12 coups in the Sahel and West Africa, according to US media. These are... 29.03.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-03-29T11:11+0100
2024-03-29T11:11+0100
2024-03-29T11:39+0100
sub-saharan africa
united states (us)
pentagon (us department of defense)
niger
west africa
sahel
military
military coup
us congress
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US House of Representatives member Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) sent a letter to the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding that he account for military cooperation with African countries, due to the fact that most of the coup leaders in the region's states were trained in the US and were Washington proxies, according to the lawmaker's letter released by the US media.According to the lawmaker, the Pentagon "dodges a clear legal order to brief Congress about the coups led by African militaries after receiving US military assistance within AFRICOM."Last week, the congressman spoke at an Armed Services Committee hearing focused on the situation in Africa and the Middle East. During the hearing, Gaetz pointed out that in many African nations, coup leaders have been forces trained by the US military. As an example, the lawmaker mentioned Niger, which the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called "an example of sustainability, democracy and cooperation," and just one year later, Nigerien coup leaders broke a defense agreement with Washington.Earlier this month, Niger government spokesman Col. Amadou Abdramane said that the country’s transitional government, which took power in a coup last July, ended the military agreement with US with immediate effect.The spokesman explained that the agreement with the US "is not only deeply unjust in its essence, but it is also not in line with the aspirations and interests of the people of Niger," adding that the deal "has been imposed on us."In August, amid anti-French demonstrations in Niger, the country's military authorities also announced the cancellation of military agreements with France. In December 2023, the last French troops deployed in Niger left the country.A Nigerien government source told Sputnik last week that the US was expected to share its plans for military pullout because Niger was unaware of the actual size of US military presence in the country.On Wednesday, Niger’s Interior Ministry said that the US had promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the West African country after Niamey ended its military pact with Washington.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240329/pentagon-says-no-decision-made-yet-on-withdrawal-of-us-forces-from-niger-1065815191.html
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US Congress Calls on Pentagon Chief to Report on Support for Coup Leaders in Africa
11:11 29.03.2024 (Updated: 11:39 29.03.2024) At least 15 officers receiving security assistance from Washington have participated in 12 coups in the Sahel and West Africa, according to US media. These are mainly military officers from Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.
US House of Representatives member Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) sent a letter to the US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin demanding that he account for military cooperation with African countries, due to the fact that most of the coup leaders in the region's states were trained in the US and were Washington proxies, according to the lawmaker's letter released by the US media.
"Given the Department of Defense [DoD] has failed to meet the congressionally mandated deadline, I am formally requesting the briefing or report on security cooperation with African military units who received DoD training and equipping, and subsequently overthrew their governments in the US Africa Command [AFRICOM] area of responsibility," the letter reads.
According to the lawmaker, the Pentagon "
dodges a clear legal order to brief Congress about the coups led by African militaries after receiving US military assistance within AFRICOM."
"This blatant sidestepping of reporting requirements not only undermines legislative oversight but raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability within the DoD’s foreign military assistance program," he pointed out.
Last week, the congressman spoke at an Armed Services Committee hearing focused on the situation in Africa and the Middle East. During the hearing, Gaetz pointed out that in many African nations, coup leaders have been forces trained by the US military.
As an example, the lawmaker mentioned Niger, which the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called "an example of sustainability, democracy and cooperation," and just one year later, Nigerien coup leaders broke a defense agreement with Washington.
Earlier this month, Niger government spokesman Col. Amadou Abdramane said that the country’s transitional government, which took power in a coup last July, ended the military agreement with US with immediate effect.
The spokesman explained that the agreement with the US "is not only deeply unjust in its essence, but it is also not in line with the aspirations and interests of the people of Niger," adding that the deal "has been imposed on us."
In August, amid anti-French demonstrations in Niger, the country's military authorities also announced the cancellation of military agreements with France. In December 2023, the last French troops deployed in Niger left the country.
A Nigerien government source told
Sputnik last week that the US was expected
to share its plans for military pullout because Niger was unaware of the actual size of US military presence in the country.
On Wednesday, Niger’s Interior Ministry said that the US had promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the West African country after Niamey ended its military pact with Washington.
