Abuja, Nigeria——

West African analysts expressed concern about U.S. military operations in the Sahel region after Niger ended military cooperation with the United States on Saturday. The United States has hundreds of troops stationed at a drone base in northern Niger and has been helping conduct regional counterterrorism operations against jihadist groups.

The announcement on Saturday by Niger’s National Council for the Defense of the Homeland came just days after a U.S. delegation visited Niger, the second since a group of military officers seized power last July.

It was unclear what prompted the decision to sever military ties with Washington, but Security Council spokesman Colonel Abdou Abdallamane said U.S. flights over Nigerien territory in recent weeks were illegal.

He also said the U.S. delegation accused Niger of reaching a secret deal to supply uranium to Iran and showing a “condescending attitude” toward the Niger government and people.

Niger plays a key role in U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa’s Sahel region and has a major military air base in the city of Agadez.

Security expert Saheed Shehu said this would have implications for regional security.

Shehu said: “Of course we will see increased insecurity in these areas because the bad actors are also watching the developments. But I believe this will not last because the United States will not sleep. The United States will return to the past. state.” drawing table to see how they can adapt to the complaints filed by Niger. “

The United States has invested millions of dollars in security operations in the region and helped train Nigerien’s troops – some of whom were involved in the operation to overthrow President Mohamed Bazoum last July.

The U.S. State Department posted on X on Sunday that it was in contact with Niger’s military junta.

In October, U.S. authorities officially characterized the military takeover in Niger as a coup and restricted security and development support for the country.

Sam Amadi, director of the School of Social and Political Thought, said Niger’s government may look elsewhere for security alliances.

“It’s a loss because they invested time and money in this capability in Niger,” Amadi said. “I think they will lean toward Russia, but the problem is no one knows how effective it will be.”

Niger, like neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, turned to Russia for security support after last July’s coup.

In December, Niger ended its security partnership with the EU, prompting France to withdraw its troops from the country.

Shehu said the military government’s various moves were a negotiation tactic.

“It will affect the overall security of the region, but at the same time I think the earlier agreement was more beneficial to the United States,” Shehu said. “I don’t think it means the end of Niger’s relationship with the United States, but they’re sending a signal.” , that is, we need more equal cooperation. I think what happens then is that this collaboration has to be mutually beneficial. Niger is sending a signal telling the United States, ‘Look, we can go somewhere else.’”

Before the military takeover, the United States and France had a combined 2,500 troops in Niger.

It is unclear when or if Niger will ask the United States to withdraw its troops, as it did with France.