The US military presence in Niger has not prevented the activity of terrorist gangs in the country, the authorities' decision to force the United States to leave is justified, Niger military expert Bounty Diallo told Sputnik.
"According to the press release, the US presence was not carried out according to standards. I think the decision to make them leave is justified. The Americans did not prevent the spread of terrorism, so their departure will not affect anything," Diallo said.
According to media reports, the decision followed a visit to Niger by US officials, notably Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Fee and the head of the US Africa Command, Michael Langley. A spokesman for Niger's military transitional government said in a statement that the US delegation violated diplomatic protocol and that Niger was not informed of the delegation's composition, date of arrival, or agenda. He added that the two sides discussed the transition of power in Niger and military cooperation between the two countries.
According to the reports, there were about 1,100 US troops in Niger in 2023. There is a US UAV base (Air Base 201) on the territory of the country.
"I don't think they will stay as they did in Iraq. The Americans know that the Nigerian people don't want them on our soil. So they are going to leave and will not resist," the expert added when asked about the likelihood of a repeat of the Iraqi scenario, where the US military presence remains in place despite demands by local authorities to leave the territory.
In late July, Niger's military announced on national television the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum from power. The military, led by the commander of the Presidential Guard, General Abdurahmane Tiani, announced the denunciation of military agreements with France. The withdrawal of the French military was fully completed at the end of December 2023.