Niger: An Emerging Security Partnership

Strategically, the two bases allow the United States to monitor Islamic extremist movement in Libya, Mali, Nigeria, and Algeria, where groups like Ansar al-Shariah, AQIM, and Boko Haram, can be found.  Despite its vast size, Niger’s population is concentrated in one small corner to the southwest and the north of the country is a desert.  Islamic militants used the  large ungoverned territory in the north as safe havens and a base of operations until French soldiers and American UAVs became present in the region.

The importance of these base agreements could lead to long term economic and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Niger under the US president’s new Security Governance Initiative which builds off the successful approach of President George W. Bush’s Millennium Challenge Corporation in a security focused framework.  There are two compelling interests for the US military presence in Niger:

• ·       Uranium: A military presence such as a drone base constitutes a robust intelligence capability and Niger is the world’s 4th major producer of Uranium. This element can be used for both energy and military purposes, especially for building nuclear weapons. It is also used for other military purposes such as armor plating. That said; it is doubtful that we want Iran, China, or Russia obtaining the rights to extract this important element. Last year, during ex-Iran president Ahmadinejad’s visit to Niger, President Mahamadou Issoufou hinted at the possibility of allowing Iran into Niger’s Uranium market. There is also the danger the element could also be obtained by the Islamic militants. The Niger government has been open to the presence of American UAVs ever since Islamic militants attacked the Uranium facilities in Arlit.

• ·       Terrorism: Niger’s location puts it at a high risk for terrorist presence. Given that many of Niger’s citizens are poor and uneducated, as well as 80% Muslim, the risk that some may join the likes of Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda of the Maghreb, Boko Haram or ISIS is unfortunately very high. With few other options, young men are vulnerable to recruitment by such groups, posing a long-term security risk to Saharan and sub-Saharan Africa.

In light of recent events in the region, Niger itself is taking the security threat seriously. It has — along with Nigeria, Cameroon, Libya, Chad, and the Central African Republic – agreed to create a joint-military task force to monitor the Lake Chad region for militants and arms traders. This action shows initiative by these countries to combat the threat of extremist groups in Africa. As one of the six nations chosen to build upon existing security partnerships through the new Security Governance Initiative, Niger is emerging to be a crucial ally well before the SGI’s implementation takes effect in Africa.