Monday, July 20, 2026

U.S. hopeful of continued military presence in Niger: Pentagon

Ms Singh said the U.S. had different lines of communications at all levels of government with Niger.

• March 19, 2024
U.S., Niger flags
U.S., Niger flags

The United States of America has announced that it is considering maintaining its military presence in Niger. 

According to Pentagon’s deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh, the White House and the State Department are still in talks with Nigerien authorities on this issue. 

The U.S. defence official added that none of the 1,000 American military officers in Niger have been withdrawn, as reported by the Voice of America.  

The development emerged as Niger’s military authorities said it was terminating an agreement that allowed American forces to conduct counterterrorism operations in the country.

According to the report, Ms Singh said that the military junta in Niger is still in communication with the United States, but it has yet to disclose any information regarding a potential timeframe for the withdrawal of American forces from the country.

“We have different lines of communications at all levels of government with Niger and our government,” she said. “Again, we want to see our partnership continue if there is a pathway forward.”

On Saturday, a spokesperson for the military junta in Niger announced that they had cancelled the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States. 

The SOFA allowed US forces to operate in the country and collaborate with the Nigerien military to combat terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Amadou Abdramane stated that the decision to revoke the SOFA was based on the perceived “condescending attitude” of US officials during a recent meeting with Nigerien officials in the capital, Niamey.

Last August, Peoples Gazette reported that a top US diplomat, Victoria Nuland, was denied the opportunity to meet with the democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum. He was ousted by a military coup faction. 

During her visit to the country, Nuland, who was the US acting Deputy Secretary of State, revealed that the coup leaders in Niger were resistant to talks aimed at returning the country to civilian rule.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Portable and TerryG

Showbiz

Portable challenges Terry G to boxing match

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has challenged veteran artiste Terry G to a boxing match, saying the bout would revive Terry G’s career.

Southern Water

Economy

UK govt fines Southern Water ÂŁ7 million for sewage pollution

The prosecution came almost exactly five years after Southern Water received a record ÂŁ90 million fine for nearly 7,000 illegal sewage discharges.

Andy Burnham and Kemi Badenoch

World

Andy Burnham is people pleaser, doesn’t want scrutiny: Kemi Badenoch

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has described the prospective prime minister as a “people pleaser”.

UNICAL students

Education

UniCal reaffirms ban on wild post-exam celebrations, warns students

The University of Calabar has reiterated its ban on wild post-examination celebrations and other acts that could disrupt peace on campus.

Nigerian Governors Forum

Politics

Governors urged to embrace non-custodial prison sentences

Mr Enobore, a former spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service, gave the charge in an interview on Monday in Abuja.

Nigeria map and police officers

Opinion

Some foundational arguments on state police (Part Deux)

What kind of police federalism does Nigeria need?