Niger objected to questions from the U.S. about ties to Russia and Iran.
Niger ordered the 1,000 American military personnel in the country to immediately leave over the weekend, the Pentagon revealed on Monday. Officials in President Biden’s administration had visited with Niger’s ruling military junta last week to confirm whether or not that country was planning a deal with Iran to grant access to Niger’s uranium reserves.
“The U.S. delegation was there to raise a number of concerns. … We were troubled on the path that Niger is on,” Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said. “And so these were direct and frank conversations to have those in person, to talk about our concerns and to also hear theirs.”
After those conversations, Niger officials revoked a major accord known as the Status of Forces Agreement, ejecting U.S. forces from the country.
The Defense Department is trying to find a way for American troops to remain in Niger. Spokesperson Singh said, “We are working through diplomatic channels to seek clarification. These are ongoing discussions and we don’t have more to share at this time.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Pentagon officials as they seek to maintain American troop presence in Niger.
- For wisdom for the president and diplomatic and defense officials as they respond to the Niger leaders’ revocation of the military accord.
Sources: The Hill, Military Times
