Breaking News: US Authorities Finally Classify Niger's Military Takeover as Coup d'État, Unveiling Months of Unresolved Tensions

The US State Department plans to officially classify the military takeover in Niger as a coup detat by next week, according to three US officials who spoke to CNN. This decision could potentially disrupt the cooperation between the US and Niger in counter-terrorism efforts. Furthermore, the department is expected to declare the suspension of specific aid to Niger due to the coup designation, as confirmed by an official and another individual familiar with the matter.

The US embassy and military in Niger can remain operational even if a coup is declared, according to US officials. However, the Pentagon is currently evaluating the potential effects of this decision on the approximately 1,000 US forces stationed in the country. While a full withdrawal is improbable, it is anticipated that some forces may transition into a more restricted role focused on intelligence gathering.

"A spokesperson from the State Department stated that while diplomatic efforts to uphold civilian rule in Niger are ongoing, they are currently evaluating further actions, but there is no information available to share at this moment."

The Pentagon spokesperson chose not to provide any comments.

The administration could maintain life-saving and essential assistance for US security interests while temporarily suspending other forms of aid to the government, including economic and security assistance. The specific details of this decision are still being finalized.

In July, the democratically elected president of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, was overthrown by military leaders. However, unlike some partners, the US has been hesitant to officially classify it as a "coup" as it would trigger legal obligations to limit specific types of foreign aid to Niger, particularly security assistance funding for Nigerien forces.

US funding and support for the Nigerien military may be severed due to the coup designation, which the US military has been striving to prevent. This comes as France recently announced its intention to withdraw all troops from the country by the end of the year. Over the past decade, the US has actively supported Nigerien forces in their fight against terrorism in Africa's Sahel region, operating from multiple bases within Niger for counterterrorism operations. The US Embassy in Niamey reported that since 2012, the Pentagon and State Department have allocated over $350 million in military assistance, equipment, and training programs to Niger, which is amongst the largest security assistance and training initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa.

Funds allocated by Congress for the training and equipping of a foreign military must adhere to US law, which dictates that in the event of a military overthrow of a legitimately elected leader of a country, the funds must be restricted. Congress has expressed frustration regarding the lack of communication and slow decision-making process of the administration, according to a knowledgeable individual involved in the discussions.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated in Djibouti last week that the US maintains a similar presence in Niger as it did prior to the takeover. The US continues to carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions to safeguard its stationed forces. However, there has been no resumption of operations with the Nigerien forces. The US military's presence in Niger played a significant role in delaying the official declaration of a military coup d'etat, as extensive diplomatic efforts were made to reverse the Nigerien military takeover. Regrettably, these diplomatic endeavors have proven unsuccessful, and the military remains in control.

"We are, once again, very close to categorizing this as an attempted coup," stated Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, on August 15. When questioned about why the US had not officially declared it as such, she added, "From the State Department, the Department of Defense, and other government entities, we are earnestly seeking to resolve this situation peacefully. Niger is a significant partner for us in this region."

If it is determined to be a coup, the Secretary of State has the authority to grant a waiver and restore military aid. However, this can only be done after a thorough evaluation of whether it aligns with the national security interests of the United States, and after consulting with Congress, according to the Congressional Research Service. Last year, Congress included this waiver provision in its 2023 omnibus spending bill for the first time.

Senior Pentagon officials believe that maintaining a presence in Niger is crucial for combating terrorism in the region and are confident that it can be achieved despite the domestic political unrest. According to current and former officials who spoke to CNN, some of the junta leaders have received training and support from the US as part of the country's security cooperation with Niger. Additionally, military leaders in Niger have not expressed any hostility towards the United States or requested its departure.