Tag: Liptako Niger treaty

The Military Treaty at the Heart of Niger’s Breakup with the US

On By Dr. Y.In Great MomentsLeave a comment
Flag of Niger

About a month ago, we saw the government of Niger revoke military accords with the United States, and ordering the US withdrawal of its military personnel and drone base from Niger [Niger suspends military “cooperation” with the US, effective immediately]. Among Niger’s grievances, were the non-respect of Niger, but above all was a treaty imposed upon Niger by the US to implant their largest drone base in the country.  The spokesman of Niger’s government, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, exposed the fact that the military “cooperation” with the US was not even a real one, i.e. the US had installed their largest drone base in Africa, and possibly in the world, in Niger via a verbal agreement only, and the Niger people had to pay for the American base in their country, while the Americans never raised a hand to help Niger fight against the terrorist attacks that were maiming their citizens.

We have previously discussed here, on Afrolegends.com, other treaties signed during colonial era in the Liptako, Zinder, and Gaya regions of Niger between the French and the local kingdoms (mostly under duress). We have found the above-mentioned treaty between Niger and the US, and it is only about 13-pages long, more like 10, and really reminiscent of colonial era treaties that have no respect for the local governments and impose upon them unfair rules.

Flag of the United States of America

In the July 6, 2012 treaty between the US and Niger, US citizens are subject to American laws, and the government of Niger has no power over them on Niger soil, so if for instance, an American citizen hurts or kills a Niger citizen on Niger’s soil, s/he will face no retribution about this from Niger. They do not pay taxes to the country. While reading, it is understood that this document was unilaterally and entirely written by the American side; no accord, agreement/discussion went in front of the Niger parliament. By the way, guess who was the Niger counterpart who signed this traitorous document? Mohamed Bazoum who was, back then under President Mahamadou Issoufou, Minister of Foreign Affairs… Both puppets signed the document … do you understand now why all these foreign powers have been screaming and begging for the return of Bazoum to office?

In the document, the American army makes Niger foot the bills for all American army vehicles and planes that enter the Niger’s airspace. There is no sharing of information with the Niger government who does not know the exact number of American troops on its soil, or the number of its drones, or the equipment, etc. More importantly, there is no obligation of support from the US to Niger in its fight against the terrorism that has engulfed Niger’s northern territories for several years.

In summary, someone installs a base on your territory, you have no say about it; as one of the poorest countries on earth, you have to foot the bills for his planes entering your territory; this someone is not subject to your laws, taxes, and looks the other way as you are mired in a conflict for your survival; yet this someone has installed a military force or your soil! How is this not reminiscent of colonial treaties? How fair is it? As you read this treaty, what is Niger’s gain in it? Are these treaties always outrageous like that, or is it just in Africa?

Excerpts below are from the full document found on the US Department of State website.

===== 

Map of Niger

The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger, and has the honor to refer to recent discussions between representatives of, our two Governments regarding issues related to United States military and civilian personnel …

… As a result Of these discussions, the Embassy proposes that United States personnel be accorded the privileges, exemptions, and immunities equivalent to those accorded to the administrative and technical staff of a diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961.

… The Government of the Republic of Niger … authorizes the Government of the United States to exercise criminal jurisdiction over United States military personnel while in the Republic of Niger.

… The Embassy further proposes that the United States Department of Defense and United States personnel shall not be liable to pay any tax or similar charge assessed within the Republic of Niger and that the United States Department’of Defense and United States personnel may import into, export out of, and Use in the Republic of Niger any personal property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training, or services in connection with activities under this Agreement. Such importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt from any inspection, license, other restrictions, customs, duties, taxes, or any other charges assessed within the Republic of Niger.

… The Embassy proposes that vehicles operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory of the Republic of Niger, and that such vehicles (whether self-propelled or towed) shall not be subject to the payment of overland transit tolls. Aircraft owned or operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense shall not be subject to the payment of landing or parking fees at facilities owned and operated by the Government of the Republic of Niger. Aircraft owned and operated by or, at the time, exclusively for the United States Department of Defense shall not be subject to payment of navigation, overflight, terminal, or similar charges When in the territory of the Republic of Niger.

… Further, the Embassy proposes that the Parties waive any and all claims (other than contractual claims) against each other for damage to, loss, or destruction of the other’s property or injury or death to personnel of either Party’s armed forces or their civilian personnel arising out of the performance of their official duties in connection with activities under this Agreement.

…

Embassy of the United States of America
Niamey, July 6, 2012.

French Colonial Treaties in Africa: France in Niger – Liptako 23 Mai 1891

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments1 Comment
Niger_Zinder_Gaya_Liptako_with all modern day regions
Map of modern-day Niger highlighting the Liptako region (in blue) which extended into Mali and Burkina Faso, and Gaya and Zinder.

Here is another treaty signed in Niger, this time in the Liptako region which was part of the Liptako Emirate, a hilly region beginning on the right back of the Niger river, and today part of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Modern-day Liptako, most of which falls in 10 to 19 provinces of Burkina Faso, along with Niger‘s Tera and Say Departments, and small parts of Mali, is a hilly and in parts sparsely populated area. It is also known as Liptako Gourma, from the name of its original historic inhabitants the Gourmantche.  Parfait-Louis Monteil was the French officer who signed this treaty on 23 May 1891 with Boubakar, son of Boari, the King of the Liptako.

Niger_Parfait-Louis_Monteil
Parfait-Louis Monteil: De Saint-Louis a Tripoli par le Lac Tchad, voyage au travers du Soudan et du Sahara accompli pendant les années 1890-91-92. Paris 1895

The French original is found here: Niger_Traite francais de protectorat et de commerce avec le roi du Liptako 23 Mai 1891. It was also translated to Arabic at the time, which was the language of business at the King’s palace and in the region. The English version is brought to you by Dr. Y., Afrolegends.com.

==========

Treaty between France and the Liptako

Between us, Monteil (Parfait Louis), Captain in the general staff of the infantry of Marin, Knight of the legion of Honor, Officer of the Academy, representing the government of the French Republic and imbued with necessary powers, and, Boubakar son of Boari, King of the Liptako, and mandated by him, the following treaty was concluded:

Article I

The King of the Liptako in his name and in the name of his successors places his country under the protectorate of France.

Article II

France acknowledges the independence of the Liptako under the current king and his successors.

France agrees to ensure this independence against attacks from neighboring countries.

Article III

The King of the Liptako commits to protecting by all means in his power the trade of the caravans.

Article IV

The trade will be entirely free in the Liptako, the caravans shall not be subject to any duty either upon arrival or departure.

Article V

In all countries under French domination or protectorate, the caravans coming from the Liptako will be efficiently protected and no duty shall be levied on them.   

Article VI

The French or French subjects who will come to settle in the Liptako for trade will be, they, and their goods, under the sincere protection of the King who will be responsible for any looting or vexation committed against them.  

Article VII

The King of the Liptako agrees not to sign any treaty with another European foreign power without submitting it to the prior sanction of the French government.

Article VIII

As a sign of our effective protection that he can use as a matter of right, the King of the Liptako has received the French flag which he agrees to keep.

Made in Dori, the twenty third of May eighteen ninety one, in two expeditions, including one which was left in the hands of the king to serve him as matter of right, the other one was kept by us.