Whats Going on in Niger?
By Stephen Lendman
<http://stephenlendman.org/> stephenlendman.org
10-24-17
Few Americans know anything about the country. Theyre minimally
knowledgeable geographically about nations only when Washington goes to war
- testimony to public ignorance, a national disgrace in a nation where its
simple to stay informed by following reliable independent online sources.
Niger is landlocked in central northwest Africa, nearly twice the size of
France territorially. Its the worlds fifth largest source of uranium, its
fourth largest producer, reason enough for Americas presence.
Its other valued resources include coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold,
molybdenum, gypsum, salt and oil - with at least 40 billion barrels of
proved reserves, perhaps multiples this amount, its believed, along with
plentiful natural gas.
Niger became newsworthy with reports of militants killing four US special
forces, the Pentagon saying little about what happened.
It failed to explain why around 800 US troops are based in the country,
congressional members not told earlier. Trump likely didnt know.
What are they doing there? Valued Niger resources alone explain. In October
2015, America and Niger agreed to cooperate in combating terrorism the US
supports. Green Berets were deployed to the nation.
On February 5, Washington sought permission to build a drone base in the
country. Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou approved a status of forces
agreement (SOFA), legitimizing Americas presence - a deplorable
arrangement, denying host countries jurisdiction over US military and
civilian personnel.
They prevent them from enforcing their laws against crimes committed by US
personnel, unacceptable noise, pollution, environmental contamination, and
use of valued public land.
Construction of a second drone base is underway in Agadez, construction
completion expected next year. Niger is key for Americas planned expanded
presence on the continent, a northwest African regional hub.
The Pentagon operates an airbase near Niamey, Nigers capital and largest
city, its population about 1.3 million.
US military operations in the country are kept under wraps. Four US special
forces killed in Niger is a convenient pretext for expanding Americas
military presence in the nation and on continent - claiming its to combat
terrorism Washington supports.
US forces in Africa are all about controlling and carving up the continent
for profit - preventing China and Russia from gaining a greater foothold
than already - a modern-day great game.
Americas military operates in nearly all African countries, some more
important than others, most troops at Camp Lemonnier at AFRICOMs Djibouti
headquarters in the continents northeast horn.
According to TomDispatch (TD), (h)ighly classified AFRICOM
files
obtained
via the Freedom of Information Act offer clear evidence of
the Pentagons continental reach - US military facilities in at least 46 of
Africas 54 countries, perhaps more not yet disclosed.
Theyre integral to expanding US military operations on the African
continent and in the Middle East, said TD - waging phony war on terror the
pretext used to justify their presence, expanding at a rapid pace.
Wherever US troops show up, violence and destabilization follow.
Entire countries and regions are harmed, some devastated like the Middle
East, central Asia and north Africa - part of Washingtons aim for
unchallenged global dominance, no matter the human cost.
EM
On the 49th Parallel
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni
katika machafuko"
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