Question mark over US bases in Niger

A street vendor pushing his cart past burned cars outside the headquarters of Bazoum’s Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism in Niamey. — AFP

LAST month’s coup in Niger has raised questions over whether the United States can continue the 1,100-strong military presence in the country that officials and analysts say has been key to fighting militants in the Sahel region.

Over the past decade, US troops have trained Nigerien forces in counterterrorism and operated two military bases, including one that conducts drone missions against Islamic State and an al-Qaeda affiliate in the region.