The evolution of the situation in Niger pushes the United States to reflect on its military presence in the country even if they still hope for a peaceful diplomatic solution.
1 min
The United States Department of Defense is simply speaking for the moment ” development of precautionary plans “. The commander of the US Air Force in Africa, General James Hecker, also recalls that no decision has yet been taken on this subject by the Biden administration. And he does not envisage changes for weeks, or even more.
But according to the American authorities, several scenarios are imagined. They are thus working on a smooth start that could last. Another possibility: a hasty departure under pressure from the junta where only the most sensitive elements would be taken away.
Two American bases
For the United States, Niger represents a strong ally in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel. The two main American bases in the area are indeed in the capital Niamey and in Agadez.
Finally, when asked about the possible countries of redeployment in the event of withdrawal from Niger, General James Hecker did not give details. ” We’ve only just started looking at the options “, he explains before specifying” know where we would like to move our bases but it will be more up to diplomacy to act »…
Diplomacy, precisely, is still preferred to resolve the crisis caused by the July 26 coup in Niger. Proof of this is with the new delegation of ECOWAS arrived in Niamey on Saturday August 19 who met several personalities of the regime that overthrew Mohamed Bazoum. But at the same time, the West African organization also decided on Friday the modalities of a possible military intervention at a meeting of his chiefs of staff in Ghana.