Protesters in Niger call for US military to leave

Trainers and equipment from Russia landed in the West African country this week, casting doubt on the continued presence of 1 000 American troops there.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the capital of Niger on Saturday to call for the withdrawal of personnel from the American armed forces stationed in this country. West Africa, just days after Russia delivered its own military equipment and instructors. to the country's military.

The demonstration in the capital, Niamey, corresponds to a well-known model in certain countries in the region, led by military juntas, which have broken ties with Western countries in recent years and have instead turned to Russia to combat extremist insurgencies.

“The United States Army, you leave, you move , you disappear,” could be read on a sign held up by a demonstrator. "No bonus, no negotiation."

About 1,000 US troops are stationed at a remote drone base in the Niger desert, from which they fly drones which follow the movements of extremist groups in the Niger desert. Niger and throughout the region.

But the United States suspended military cooperation with the Nigerien army last summer, when mutinous soldiers took power in the country. This disruption kept drones on the ground and troops inactive. Last month, Niger ordered US troops to leave, declaring their presence illegal.

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