The relationship between the United States and Niger, which for years had been a key Western ally, had grown tense after military leaders seized power in a coup last year.
A recent military takeover in Niger has thrown into uncertainty the future of France’s presence in West and Central Africa, raising doubts about the future of U.S. military involvement there, too.
Several military officials who took power from the president in Niger last week met with the leaders of Mali, where the Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group has deployed about 1,500 troops.