Recently, the U.S. Department of Defense has officially ordered the withdrawal of all U.S. combat units stationed there from Niger, numbering about 1,000 troops. According to the report, this is a blow to the Biden administration's efforts to counter terrorism and counter Russia's influence in West Africa.
According to the data, Niger's per capita GDP is about 630 US dollars, and it has long been threatened by terrorist groups such as "Boko Haram" from Mali and northeastern Nigeria. From the perspective of practical interests, the United States has a developed economy and strong military strength, and is capable of providing economic assistance to Niger and assisting Niger in addressing security threats. But why did Niger decide to expel the U.S. military?
On May 14, the US media published an exclusive interview with Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamin Zene. Through this interview, people can clearly understand the ins and outs of the withdrawal of US troops from Niger.
First: after the military coup in Niger, the spearhead was not directed at the United States. In December last year, when U.S. official in charge of African affairs, Fye, visited Niger, Prime Minister Zenet expressed goodwill to him, saying that "the United States is a friend of Niger." In a show of goodwill, Prime Minister Zenet showed Fay two photographs, one of the vandalized French embassy in Nepal and the other of the unscathed US embassy in Nepal. By comparing the two photos, it is fully clear that Niger is not hostile to the United States.
Second: What humiliates Prime Minister Zenet is that when he released his goodwill to the United States, he was not only ignored by the United States, but also further bullied. The United States has not only failed to lift sanctions against the Nigerien military government, but has also blatantly interfered in Niger's internal affairs. In March, U.S. official Fiy visited Niger again and warned that the United States would step up sanctions if Niger sought to export uranium to Iran. In addition, the United States has also taught Niger in the name of "democracy" and tried to make political demands such as "democratic reform" a condition for aid.
Third, the United States has continued to exert pressure step by step, which has detonated the anger of Niger. Prime Minister Zenet listed three sins of the United States. First, the United States stationed troops in Niger and was supposed to assist Niger in fighting terrorists, but the US military not only did nothing like a lazy man all day long, but also allowed terrorists to attack Niger; Second, the US military should give some benefits to the borrowing of Nigerien territory. However, when Niger proposed to receive some economic and military aid, the United States flatly refused; Third: Niger is a sovereign country, and it is an internal affair what system to choose and who to deal with, but the United States is commanding from above and issuing threats at every turn, and Niger is not allowed to do this or that, and no one can stand it.
According to the data, Niger has abundant resources, including uranium reserves of 420,000 tons, ranking fifth in the world, phosphate reserves of 1.254 billion tons, ranking fourth in the world, proven oil reserves of more than 5 billion barrels, coal reserves of 70 million tons, and rich tin, iron, gypsum, gold and other precious mineral deposits.
The real purpose of the United States, France and other Western countries stationing troops in Niger has never been to fight terrorists, but to control and plunder Niger's minerals and other resources. If the United States and France can get a piece of the pie, Niger may be able to endure it. But the problem is that the United States and France don't even give leftovers, and the Nigeriens live as poor as beggars. Well, in this case, Niger naturally will no longer endure bullying.
After the withdrawal of US troops, Russian troops have been invited to enter Niger. Compared with the United States and France, Russia is more generous and respectful of its friends. Russia's influence has been strengthened in West Africa, which is a victory for Putin in the fight against the United States.
(Text/Woo Tsai)