March 13, 2024 (EIRNS)—A US diplomatic and military delegation visited Niger on March 12-13 and held talks with the junta on “Niger’s return to a democratic path and the future of our security and development partnership,” according to a statement by the US State Department. Among those in the delegation are General Michael Langley, the commander of US Africa Command, Molly Phee, the top State Department official for Africa, and Celeste Wallander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs. https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/519299.aspx
Yesterday, the US delegation met with Niger''s Prime Minister, ,amime Zeine, as well as members of the government and members of the National Council for the Protection of the Homeland (CNSP). Today, they met with the head of the military regime, General Abdourahamane Tiani.
While the United States suspended its cooperation with Niger after the July 26 coup that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, the United States still maintains a military base and 1,000 soldiers, to operate drones in anti-terrorist operations. On the other hand, the French troops, as well as the French Ambassador, have all been forced to leave the country.
