The Intercept has verified that Brig. Gen. Moussa Salaou Barmou, the head of Niger's Special Operations Forces and a key figure in the unfolding coup in Niger, received training from the U.S. military. Since 2008, military officers trained by the United States have been involved in 11 coups in West Africa.
In 2021, Barmou stated, "We have had a longstanding relationship with the United States," expressing the positive nature of their collaboration. Recently, Barmou held a meeting with Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, the leader of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, at Air Base 201 in Agadez, Nigeria. This base serves as a crucial hub for a network of U.S. outposts in West Africa.
“We have had a very long relationship with the United States,” said Col. Maj. Moussa Salaou Barmou. ”Being able to work together in this capacity is very good for Niger.”
We continue to work with our partners in Niger as part of a month long U.S. mortar system training event. pic.twitter.com/3JprN8MbOi
USASOC Commander Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga recently visited @ArmeesNiger Commander Brig. Gen. Moussa Barmou at Air Base 101, Niger as part of a regional effort to promote security and strengthen partnerships. pic.twitter.com/U3JRAPYupc
On Wednesday, Barmou, who received training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and the National Defense University in Washington, joined a junta that overthrew Niger's democratical...
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