"Niger Junta Terminates Military Relationship with US, Impacting Sahel Operations"
The military junta ruling Niger has announced the end of its military relationship with the United States, citing a "condescending attitude" from a recent U.S. delegation and claiming that the American presence on Niger's territory is illegal. This decision follows the overthrow of Niger's democratically elected president last year and the refusal to set a date for presidential elections. The United States had largely suspended military aid to Niger after the coup, and the country has grown closer to Russia, signing new security agreements. The U.S. operates a drone base in Niger, which officials say is vital for surveillance of extremist groups in the Sahel region.