The Senate on Thursday rejected a bill that would have directed President Biden to withdraw all US troops from Niger, where a military government has been in power since a July 26 coup that removed former President Mohamed Bazoum.
The bill failed overwhelmingly in a vote of 11-86. The resolution was led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and co-sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Roger Marshall (R-KS). The eight other senators who voted in favor of the bill include Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Kennedy (R-LA), JD Vance (R-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Mike Braun (R-IN).
During the debate on the Senate floor, Paul questioned the authorization for the US presence in Niger as it’s justified by the authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) that was passed in the wake of 9/11 to invade Afghanistan. “Using an AUMF from 22 years ago, an authorization to get the people who attacked us on 9/11, to justify a war in Niger is a ridiculous notion and should be rejected out of hand,” he said, according to Responsible Statecraft.
The US has about 1,100 troops in Niger and a major drone base in the country, known as Air Base 201. The Biden administration recently formally declared the events of July 26 a coup, meaning the US can no longer provide military assistance to the junta, but there’s no sign the US plans to withdraw.
France began withdrawing its troops from Niger after the post-coup government, led by Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, demanded the French leave. So far, the junta has not asked the US to exit the country, and there has been reports that the US is considering a waiver to allow continued cooperation with Niger’s military.
“Does it make sense to station over 1000 troops in a country ruled by a military junta?” Paul asked on the Senate floor. “We’re in the middle of a potential war with 1100 troops in Niger where the democratically elected president has been deposed, and they’re being ruled by a military junta and still our troops are there.”
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was threatening to intervene in Niger to reinstate Bazoum, which could have sparked a major regional war. No military intervention has happened, but crippling economic sanctions ECOWAS imposed on Niger are still in effect and are having a devastating impact on the civilian population.
We can’t even get our troops out of a damn corner of Africa like Niger. Why don’t we poll America and see how many constituents of the senators who voted yes supports us staying in Niger? Congress is so hilariously unrepresentative of America when it comes to interventionism. It is nothing but a rubber stamp of the military industrial complex.
Unfortunately if you polled Americans on this issue, most wouldn’t have a clue as to where Niger is or what we are doing there. I blame the American electorate for the lousy political leaders we get. We are doomed. As Pogo said, “I have seen the enemy and it is us.”
I’d have to guess that if polled on the topic of Niger, most Americans’ response would be “Ooooh, uhhh, I think only rappers are allowed to use that word any more.”
And even if they did, even if they elected a leader to do it, guess what will be in the article for only eagle-eyed voters to read.
Macron dreaming of new French Empire dragged the US into the mess he created.
It worked in Vietnam. If the vote above is any indication, it’s so far so good for Macron. Good for Macron = Bad for everybody else.
Yep.
I’m pleasantly surprised there were 11 votes against another war in the Senate. But it’s still way too early to tell if that was “progress?” Could it be Biden looking for an “easy” war?
Two of them, Mike Lee and Roger Marshall, also co-sponsored a bill asking Biden to give Israel an additional $10 billion. One step forward and two steps backward.
LOL. You had to rain on my whimsical parade, didn’t you, Wars?
I know. But wouldn’t it be nice if we could find someone who opposes the whole shit show? A sacrificial lamb (career wise) that just can’t take it anymore and is going to go full throated until out of office or dead.
Did they include a demand that Joe negotiate ( Ukraine is apparently out of the conversation) with Russia to end the mess? Apparently, it is OK for Palestinians to be exterminated.
It is just that things have not gone badly enough —–Yet.
Need to waste a bunch more money before pulling the plug.
I’d say there’s a fly in the ointment of your non interventional policies. If we don’t have a presence there, China will. F China.
Who cares? That isn’t a security concern for the US. There are no security concerns for the US other than the ones we choose to create.
Excellent comment. No security concern, no money in the coffers of the MIC.
Yes, it is, a concern. Observe the behavior of Russian and China and their intentions of dominating us. You live in a fantasy world.
So, it has been Russia and China surrounding us? I see.
man, uncle sam shouldn’t be surprised when somebody surrounds his literal 700 military bases
yes, everybody should be afraid of China dominating the entire solar-system from their one and only base in Djibouti
If China and Russia want to waste money and men like we did in Afghanistan and Iraq, they are welcome to it. Playing Empire is a fool’s errand in today’s world.
Neither the Russian Federation, nor the DPRC, are that stupid.
Niger has lots of natural resources which they probably are not fully capitalizing on.
of course uncle sam is Johnny-on-the spot doing them a favor.
Just like the natural gas deposits off the shores of Gaza.
Phosphate and uranium. It has one of the largest uranium reserves . France has had total control of many the former colonies resources while the people continue to live in extreme poverty.
“Senate Votes Down Bill to Withdraw Troops from Niger”
The once were American troops in Niger
Who smiled as they rode a Neocon Tiger
They returned from the ride
In body bags inside,
And the smile on the face of the Neocon tiger.