U.S. weighs order for troops to leave Niger

The Pentagon is working with officials of Niger, seeking a way for U.S. troops to stay in the country — a key base for counterterrorism operations in sub-Saharan Africa — after a weekend directive that they leave.

“We are in touch with transition authorities to seek clarification of their comments and discuss additional next steps,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

Last week, a high level-delegation of U.S. officials traveled to Niger to meet with members of the military junta, spurred by concerns over Niger’s potential relationships with Russia and Iran.

On Saturday, after the meeting, the junta’s spokesperson, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, said U.S. flights over Niger’s territory in recent weeks were illegal. Meanwhile, Insa Garba Saidou, a local activist who assists Niger’s military rulers with communications, criticized U.S. efforts to force the junta to pick between strategic partners.

“The American bases and civilian personnel cannot stay on Nigerien soil any longer,” he said.