US State Department to Designate Military Takeover in Niger as Coup d’état
The US State Department is reportedly preparing to officially designate the military takeover in Niger as a coup d’état, according to three US officials who spoke to CNN. This decision could have significant implications on the US’s ability to work with Niger, a crucial counter-terrorism partner in the region.
The official designation of the coup will lead to the suspension of certain forms of assistance to Niger, as confirmed by an official and another individual familiar with the discussion. However, the US embassy will still be allowed to operate, and the US military can legally maintain its forces in Niger. Nevertheless, the Pentagon is currently evaluating how this change will impact the approximately 1,000 US forces stationed in the country.
While it is unlikely that US forces will completely withdraw, it is expected that some troops will remain in a more limited intelligence gathering role. A State Department spokesperson stated that as they continue diplomatic engagements to preserve civilian rule in Niger, they are assessing additional steps to be taken.
The administration has the option to continue providing life-saving and other important assistance for US security interests while suspending other forms of assistance, including economic and security aid to the government. The details regarding this matter are still being discussed.
The Nigerien military leaders overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July. The US had been hesitant to formally label the takeover as a coup, as this would require the US to restrict certain forms of foreign aid to Niger, particularly security assistance funding for Nigerien forces.
The coup designation could result in the US cutting off funding and support for the Nigerien military, a move that the US military has been trying to avoid. France recently announced that it would be withdrawing all of its troops from Niger by the end of the year. The US has worked closely with Nigerien forces for the past decade to strengthen their fight against terrorists in the Sahel region, and it has several bases within Niger for counterterrorism operations.
Since 2012, the Pentagon and State Department have provided Niger with over $350 million in military assistance equipment and training programs, making it one of the largest security assistance and training programs in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the US Embassy in Niamey.
US law mandates that funds for training and equipping a foreign military must be restricted if a duly elected leader is overthrown by that country’s military. Congressional frustration has grown due to the administration’s lack of communication and slow decision-making process regarding this matter.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated last week that the US has essentially the same presence in Niger as before the takeover, conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions to protect the remaining US forces stationed there. However, the US has not resumed any operations with Nigerien forces.
The US military mission in Niger is one of the key reasons why the US delayed legally declaring the situation a military coup. Extensive diplomacy efforts were made in an attempt to reverse the Nigerien military takeover, but these have been unsuccessful, and the military remains in power.
While a waiver could be issued by the Secretary of State to reinstate military aid once a coup is determined, it can only be done if it is deemed in the national security interest of the United States and after consulting with Congress. Senior Pentagon officials believe that maintaining a presence in Niger is crucial to combating terrorism in the region, and there have been no signs of anti-American sentiment or requests for the US to leave from Nigerien military leaders.