Foreign minister of Niger(L) and Iran (R) Tehran in 2023.
Niger’s recent termination of all military pacts with the United States of America may stem from the military junta striking a clandestine deal with Iran for uranium access, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports.
A US delegation expressed concerns during a mid-March visit about Niger’s alleged collaboration with Iran regarding uranium resources.
Although talks were advanced in February, the Wall Street Journal indicates that the Iran-Niger agreement was not finalised.
The authenticity of this report has not been ascertained and some sources say it may be contrived to initiate a process for the U.S. government to stall on its withdrawal from the country.
However, Increased cooperation between Iran and Niger could benefit both countries. Niger is one of the world’s biggest producers of uranium and is responsible for around 5% of global output. Iran needs uranium for its nuclear program.
Niger’s relations with Iran has been open knowledge for some time now. During a visit by the Nigerièn Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine to Tehran, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said that his country was ready to co-operate with Niger in “economically beneficial areas.”
Also, Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber said that Iran was willing to help Niger overcome punitive economic measures imposed by the West after its military coup, saying his country is opposed to the “cruel sanctions which are imposed by the domination system.”
Visits by officials of both countries have resulted in several agreements signed to strengthen cooperation in several areas. However, there has been no report of trade in uranium or collaboration on Iran’s development of its nuclear technology.
Some sources say Niger stands at an advantage as such a deal, if actually in the works, would provide much needed new market for its uranium.
The U.S government, however, appears intent on pushing back against the country’s demand for the closure of its military bases and possibly doing so to forestall the establishment of any foothold by Iran in the Sahel, insisting that there would be no withdrawal without an official request by the Nigerièn military junta.
Since the country’s ruling military body, the National Council for the Protection of the Fatherland (CNSP), announced on March 16 the end of all military agreements between both countries, reports say Washington is dragging its feet.
Speaking on the announcement by the CNSP, the U.S. deputy defence secretary, Celeste Wallander, said “we have not received any request from the Nigerien government to vacate our military bases.”
This statement by the U.S. official suggests that the announcement by the junta, contained in a press release read on the national TV broadcasting network, Télé Sahel, which clearly stipulated the end of military agreements with the USA, did not meet the criteria for an official request.
It is certain that the Nigerièn military government will see things differently and will take more stringent steps in the coming months to push out the U.S. military from its soil as it searches the globe for new partnerships.
