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Niger is the latest African country to cut ties with the US military and other Western forces

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In a swift move that sent tremors through U.S. foreign relations in West Africa, Niger’s military junta ended an agreement that allowed U.S. military personnel to operate in its country.

The announcement, made by junta spokesman Col. Amadou Abdramane in a televised speech on March 16, got here days after an official visit to the capital of Niamey by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Molly Phee and Gen. Michael E. Langley, the head of U.S. military operations in Africa.

“American presence in the territory of the Republic of Niger is illegal” – Abdramane he statedadding that it “violates all constitutional and democratic principles that would require consultation with a sovereign nation – especially through its elected officials – regarding the deployment of a foreign military to its territory.”

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A supporter of the Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) holds a poster reading “Only Struggle Unleashed” during a rally to mark Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Bamako on February 1, 2024. (Photo: OUSMANE MAKAVELI / AFP ) (Photo: OUSMANE MAKAVELI/AFP via Getty Images)

Additionally, the junta has condemned “a condescending attitude accompanied by threats of retaliation from the head of the American delegation against the government and people of Niger.”

U.S. officials have previously expressed concerns about Niger’s political direction on domestic and foreign affairs.

At a March 18 news conference hosted by White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the official referred to the U.S. delegation’s visit to Niamey before the junta’s announcement and asserted that the United States’ goal was to “explore how we are able to chart a typical path forward and our concerns about the lack of progress towards a democratic transition and operational considerations in order that we are able to maintain a long-term security partnership.”

The “democratic transition” likely refers to Niger’s domestic politics and the struggle to stabilize government affairs.

In a military coup in July 2023, Niger’s army removed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum from office and replaced him with Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, the previous commander of Nigeria’s presidential guard. The United States, a generous donor of humanitarian aid and a long-time contractor of counterterrorism operations in Niger, declared the coup illegal.

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Additionally, America is monitoring Niger’s relations with other foreign powers and recent allies.

“U.S. officials have expressed concern about Niger’s potential relations with Russia and Iran,” he added. he stated Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh.

However, this evaluation was poorly received by Niger’s recent leaders, which became a part of the justification for the decision to break off military relations with the US stating that “Niger deplores the U.S. delegation’s intention to deny the sovereign Nigerian nation the right to choose partners and the types of partnerships that can truly help it in the fight against terrorism.”

The junta also condemned what the US delegation called a failure to respect diplomatic protocol. Abdramane he stated that the delegation violated diplomatic convention by not informing Niger of its composition, date of arrival or agenda.

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An estimated 600 to 1,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Niger, a landlocked country on Nigeria’s northern border that also hosts two U.S. bases. Of these, U.S. Air Base 201 is a six-year-old, $110 million drone air base near Agadez tasked with monitoring jihadist activities.

Among the first U.S. officials to respond to Niger’s announcement was State Department spokesman Matthew Miller published in October: “We are aware of the CNSP’s announcement in Niger, which follows candid discussions at senior levels in Niamey this week about our concerns about the CNSP’s trajectory.” The CNSP is the Conseil National pour la sauvegarde de la patrie, the ruling military junta in Niger.

Days later, U.S. officials were reportedly in search of closed-door talks to see if they may maintain some security presence in Niger.

In terms of this trajectory, reports allude to Niger’s strengthening relations with Russia since the military coup in July 2023. Since then, senior Russian defense officials, including Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov, have visited the country to meet with the head of the junta. Similarly, junta officials visited Moscow in January to pave the way for military cooperation, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

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U.S. officials were also concerned about the prospect of a secret deal with Iran that might likely give Tehran access to a few of Niger’s vast uranium reserves.

This is not the first time Niger has cut military ties with a Western nation in hopes of asserting autonomy over its internal security efforts. In December 2023, former colonial power France withdrew almost 1,500 soldiers at the request of the junta.

France, namely President Emmanuel Macron, who has long supported ousted Nigerian President Bazouma, loudly condemned the July 2023 coup. The condemnation prompted motion by Niger’s recent military rulers, who decided to make a drastic change in strategy and ordered French forces to leave Niger.

Hailed as a “new era” for Nigerians, the decision was celebrated as a break from dependence on certain Western powers. “Niger stands proud and the security of our homeland will no longer depend on foreign presence,” it alleged announced.

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After years of military support, some experts fear the removal of Western-aligned troops could leave a vacuum in counterterrorism efforts in Niger and the Sahel.

As such, foreign troops from France, Italy, Germany, the United States, and the European Union were dispatched to lead counterterrorism efforts in the region and provide military training to various countries that were experiencing political and governmental upheaval.

But with recent partnerships and allies on the horizon, Niger is becoming considered one of several West African countries reassessing its ties with Western powers.

The deterioration of Burkina Faso’s relations with France has been increasing since 2022, culminating in the expulsion of the military counselor of the French embassy for “subversive activities.”

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Mali also saw the gradual withdrawal of French troops following the military coup in Mali, in addition to the arrival of controversial Russian mercenaries, the Wagner Group.

Under the leadership of the Junta, Mali and Burkina Faso, in addition to Niger announced their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) earlier this yr, distancing themselves from the alleged influence of external forces and “illegal, illegitimate and inhumane” sanctions that threaten to reverse their coups.

After leaving the 15-member coalition, southern countries announced the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which is able to provide a “path to sovereignty.” AES might be represented by leaders from each country: Ibrahim Traoré from Burkina Faso, Assimi Goïta from Mali and Abdourahamane Tiani from Niger.

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This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com

Politics and Current

The White House responds to the rumors of the pardon of Trump Derek Chauvin among the renovated connection Marjorie Taylor Greene

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Despite the earlier releases of President Donald Trump and the White Federal House of Pardoning for Derek Chaubin, a former police officer in Minneapolis sentenced to the murder of George Floyd, rumors with potential pardon were renovated.

When this month this month is approaching the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s murder, Governor of Minnesota Tim Walz and Minneapolis officials indicated that they were preparing for the possibility of presidential pardon for Chauvin and later anxieties in the city.

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“I think we are prepared for it. Thanks to this presidency, it looks like it could be something they would do” – according to reporters, the Governor Walz recently told journalists Minnesota Star Tribune.

Walz, who was against Trump as the vp of Kamali Harris in the 2024 election, said that his office received “without an indication” whether the White House would give a pardon to Chauvin, who was convicted Up to 21 years after admitting federal allegations for violating Floyd and a youngster in a separate incident. Chauvin was too convicted Up to 22.5 years in prison for the second -cycle murder at the state level.

“If Donald Trump exercises his constitutional law, whether I agree-and I definitely disagree with him-if it seems pardon, we will simply transfer Derek Chauvin to take his 22 and a half years in prison in Minnesota,” Walz said.

Commissioner for the Security of the Community Minneapolis Todick Barnette admitted that city officials heard rumors about potential pardon; Similarly, nonetheless, he emphasized: “Derek Chauvin would remain behind bars, having a state sentence, even if his federal allegations are pardoned.”

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He said in an announcement that “there is no reliable intelligence about any pardon or planned interference here in Minneapolis.”

Discussions about Trump potentially pardoning chauvins have been consistent since he returned to the White House in January. Conservatives are continually calling the president to pardon the disgraced officer. Republican US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene renovated the public campaign to pardon Chauvin on Wednesday, writing On X: “I definitely support the pardon of Derek Chauvin and release from prison.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Thegrio.com
United States-6 February: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Says during a press conference at Capitol Visitor Center on the resolution “Stating that President Donald Trump was not involved in the uprising”, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

The conservative fire brand also falsely claimed that Floyd “died of drug overdose”, despite two medical examinations, determining that he died by murder. Chauvin especially held his knee around Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes until Floyd’s death, despite the multiple black man “I can’t breathe”.

In March, the press secretary of the White House Karoline Leavitt told journalists about the possible forgiveness: “The president was asked and answered this question. He said that he was not considering it at that time.”

Minneapolis agrees to browse police training and force politics after the murder of George Floyd

The president undertaking such an motion could be in the position he took in 2020 as a president when Floyd was murdered.

“It’s a terrible thing,” Trump he said In the White House in 2020, “we all saw what we saw. It’s hard to come up with something other than what we saw. It should never happen.”

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The Prosecutor General in Minnesota Keith Ellison, who managed the prosecution of the State Criminal Case Chauvin, said in an announcement that President Trump has no right to forgive the state belief of Chauvin, “and” the only possible goal could be to express even greater disrespect for George Floyd.

He said clearly: “Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd in front of the whole world.”

(Tagstranslate) Donald Trump (T) Trump administration (T) George Floyd

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Politics and Current

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signs 170 bills to the right

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore


Maryland Gov. Wes Moore It takes the state to latest heights After signing 170 bills in state law, it informs CBS News Baltimore.

Bills, signed on May 13, relate to various topics, from the range of abortion to reckless driving.

The subsidy program for public health abortion (HB 930) concerns the financing of reproductive healthcare, establishing a fund coping with improving access to abortion take care of the inhabitants of Maryland, specializing in people without advanced financial resources.

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The first black state governor also signed the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act (HB 506), which is targeted on ways to improve popular water so as to increase economic growth in the region.

After the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced concern about Trump’s administration plans for exceeding budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), Moore signed provisions that can support farmers in the development of more efficient methods of agriculture as well as to improving oyster aquaculture.

Senate Bill 590, Sergeant Patrick KEPP, corrects the regulations regarding Maryland motorized vehicles to strengthen penalties for a reckless and aggressive driving. Named in honor of a police officer of Montgomery, who was paralyzed from impact by a reckless driver, the Act adapts the system of status of the driver’s points, increasing to two points for neglected driving of the vehicle and 6 points for the transition by 30 km / h or greater than limiting speed.

According to the latest law, aggressive driving might be marked as behaviors, comparable to not compliance with traffic control devices, a dangerous passage and never being lifted by pedestrians.

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The state account 901 is directed to the environment by increasing the recycling speed, reduced waste and emphasize the use of a sustainable packaging. Manufacturers will now be obliged to submit a five -year plan by July 2028, which identifies the recycling and recycling content goals.

Other bills are intended for such issues as real estate, public security, medical debt and wild nature.

Viewers consider that signing bills increases the light of Moore’s headlights in the Democratic Party as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.

The democratic strategist of Jon Reinish called Moore “one of the most fresh faces of the party, the most dynamic leaders”, but according to Moore, whose name He was once mentioned As a possible colleague from the former vice chairman of Kamali Harris on a democratic ticket in 2024, he told co -hosts ABC that there have been no plans to search for an oval office.

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“I’m not running,” said Moore. “I am now very excited about work that is now happening in the state of Maryland.”

However, some democratic analysts feel movements that he does in another way.

“He does not do much to discourage this speculation at 2028 … his schedule was contrary to his message,” said the democratic strategist with Maryland Len Foxwell.

Moore recently provided the start address of the Lincoln University, HBCU in Pennsylvania, in addition to the major address of democracy at the Brennan Center Awards in New York.

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Reinish said people should give attention to Moore.

“It happens in well-known television programs. It goes to the early states,” said Reinish. “I think that most people at this stage would be a cursory denial. But again look at what they do, not what they say.”

(Tagstranslat) gov. There was moore

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This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Politics and Current

FEMA limits emergency training before the hurricane season

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In the Hurricane season for lower than two weeks, the Federal US FEMA FEMA disaster limited training for state and native rescue managers.

Sources acquainted with this case informed Reuters that a reduction or Cutting training can leave communities vulnerable to a storm less prepared to handle the consequences of hurricanes.

The forecasts predict the intensive season of hurricanes in 2025 and claim that the forecasts already indicate the amazing similarities to the destructive season 2024. One of the key indicators of this 12 months’s forecast are warm waters in the Persian Gulf and the Caribbean, which drive the development of the storm.

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reports that AccuWeather provides 13-18 named storms in 2025.including seven to 10 hurricanes, three to five fundamental hurricanes and three to six direct effects on the United States.

Another disturbing AccuWeather forecast is that the season is to start out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out out quickly. Forecasts predict that the season, which could start on June 1, will then have a stake, after which pickup from September to November, like last 12 months’s pattern.

“Don’t get my way,” warns the acting director of FEMA

FEM’s decision to limit training couldn’t is vulnerable to be present in a worse time.

Season 2024 was one amongst the costliest record -breaking. AccuWeather estimates it Storms in 2024 caused about $ 500 billion in total compensation and economic losses.

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President Donald Trump was recently released by the head of FEM, Cameron Hamilton, the day after Hamilton told the legislators that the agency must be preserved. His sentiments appear amongst unprecedented dismissals in federal agencies, because the administration prioritizes the federal workforce.

Hamilton’s successor, David Richardson, reportedly told FEMA employees that he would “escape”, every staff against his implementation of Trump’s vision for a smaller agency. On the phone, tHee Associated Press reportsHe warned that 20% of the employees he estimated may resist the changes.

“Don’t bother me if you are 20% of people,” said Richardson, in accordance with AP. “I know all the tricks. I am just as inclined to achieve the President’s intention as I made sure that I performed my duties when I took maritime infantry to Iraq.”

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(Tagstranslate) fema

This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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