There’s been a significant move in Africa among a number of countries away from past colonial masters and the West towards Western adversaries Russia, China, and Iran. From Tyler Durden at zerohedge.com:
Niger announced over the weekend that it is suspending military cooperation with the United States, in a significant blow to the Pentagon’s presence in West Africa, which is likely to result in Washington being forced to withdraw its troops, also in a major blow to AFRICOM’s influence on the continent.
Last year’s coup saw a military-led government come to power, which from the start signaled rough and uncertain times ahead for US-Niger relations. A Saturday statement by Nigerien junta spokesman Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane said, “Niger regrets the intention of the American delegation to deny the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their partners and types of partnerships capable of truly helping them fight against terrorism.”
This charge of the US not respecting the West African nation’s sovereignty comes in reaction to recent Western intelligence claims that Niger has been engaged in secret talks and deal-making to grant Iran access to its uranium. US officials have also bitterly complained about Niger cozying up to Moscow.
STRAIGHT LINE LOGIC 