TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 13-128

________________________________________________________________________

DEFENSE

Status of Forces

Agreement Between the

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
and NIGER

Effected by Exchange of Notes at

Niamey July 6, 2012 and
January 28, 2013
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent
evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than
treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and
international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be,
therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime
jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the
United States, and of the several States, without any further proof
or authentication thereof.”
 NIGER

Defense: Status of Forces

Agreement effected by exchange of notes at

Niamey July 6, 2012 and January 28, 2013;
Entered into force January 28, 2013.
 2013-0031

No. 174

The Embas§y of the United States of America presents its

compliments to th0 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 regai:ding issues related to United States military and civilian

personnel (defined as members of the United States Armed Forces and

civilian employees of the United States Department of Defense, respectively,

hereafter referred V3 collectively as United States personnel) and United

States contractors Oefined as non-Nigerien companies and firms, and their

employees who are not nationals of the Republic of Niger, under contract to

the. United States Department of Defense) who may be temporarily present

in the Republic o11 Niger in connection with visits, training, exercises, and

humanitarian activities, and other activities as mutually agreed.

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 NOTE
diplomatic mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of

April 18, 1961; that United States personnel may enter and exit the Republic

of Niger with Unitd States identification and with collective movement or

individual travel orders; that the Republic of Niger shall accept as valid all

professional licenges issued by the United States, its political subdivisions or

States thereof to United States personnel for the provision of services to

authorized person#el; and that Republic of Niger authorities shall accept as

valid, without a driving test or fee, driving licenses or permits issued by the

appropriate United States authorities to United States personnel for the

operation of vehicles. The Embassy further proposes that United States

personnel be authorized to wear uniforms while performing official duties

and to carry arms while on duty if authorized to do so by their orders.

The Government of the Republic of Niger recognizes the particular

importance of disciplinary control by United States Armed Forces

authorities over United States personnel and, therefore, 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 Government4 of the United States of America and the Republic of

Niger shall cooperate to take such measures as may be necessary to ensure

the security and protection of United. States personnel, property, equipment,

records, and officiaI information in the Republic of Niger.

The Embathy 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 1;)e subject to payment of navigation, overflight, terminal,

or similar charges When in the territory of the Republic of Niger. The

United States Department of Defense shall pay reasonable charges for

services requestediand received at rates no less favorable than those paid by

the Nigerien Arm4d Forces less taxes and similar charges. Aircraft and

vessels of the United States Government shall be free from boarding and

inspection.

The Embas$y also proposes that the United States Department of

Defense may contract for any materiel, supplies, equipment, and services

(including construction) to be furnished or undertaken in the Republic of

Niger without restriction as to choice of contractor, supplier, or person who

provides such materiel, supplies, equipment, or services. Such contracts

shall be solicited, awarded and administered in accordance with the laws and

regulations of the Government of the United States of America. Acquisition

.

of articles and services in the Republic of Niger by or on behalf of the

United States Department of Defense in connection with activities under this

Agreement shall not be subject to any taxes or similar charges in the

Republic of Niger.

The Emba.* further proposes that United States contractors shall not

be liable to pay a4 tax or similar charge assessed within the Republic of

Niger in connectiqn with activities under this Agreement and that such

contractors may import into, export out of, and use in the Republic of Niger

any personal property, equipment, supplies, materiel, technology, training,

or services in fulfillment of contracts with the United States Department of

Defense in connedtion with activities under this Agreement. Such

importation, exportation, and use shall be exempt from any license, other

restrictions, customs duties, taxes, or any other charges assessed within the

Republic of Niger}

The Embassy proposes that United States contractors shall be granted

the same treatment as United States personnel with respect to professional

and drivers' licenses.

The Embassy proposes that United States personnel shall have

freedom of movement and access to and use of mutually agreed

transportation, storage, training, and other facilities required in connection

with activities under this Agreement.

The Government of the Republic of Niger recognizes that it may be

necessary for the United States Armed Forces to use the radio spectrum.

The United States; Department of Defense shall be allowed to operate its

own telecommuniCation systems (as telecommunication is defined in the

1992 Constitution `and Convention of the International Telecommunication

Union). This shall include the right to utilize such means and services as

required to ensure full ability to operate telecommunication systems, and the

right to use all necessary radio spectrum for this purpose. Use of the radio

spectrum shall be free of cost to the. United States Government.

Further, thel 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. Claims by third parties for damages or loss caused by United

States personnel shall be resolved by the United States Government in

accordance with United States laws and regulations.

Finally, the Embassy proposes further that our two governments or

their designated representatives may enter into implementing arrangements

to carry out the provisions of this Agreement.

If the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of the Republic of

Niger, the Embassy proposes that this note, together with the Ministry's

reply to that effed, shall constitute an agreement between the two

Governments, which shall enter into force on the date of the Ministry's reply.

The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this

opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation,

African Integration, and Nigeriens Abroad of the Republic of Niger the

assurance of its highest consideration.

#1
.

Embassy of the United States of Ameri4

Niamey, July 6, 2012.

U.S. Department of State LS No. 0-2013-001502
Office of Language Services French/English
Translating Division ALK/GPG

TRANSLATION

Republic of Niger
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens Abroad
[initialed]
Bureau of Legal and Consular Affairs [initialed]
Office of Legal Affairs
Multilateral Legal Division

No. 0000752/MAE/C/IA/NE/DGAJ/C January 28, 2013

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens

Abroad of the Republic of Niger presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United

States of America at Niamey and has the honor to ask it to disregard Nigerien note No.

0000706/MAE/C/IA/NE/DGARNE/DARMULT2 of January 23, 2013, and to note that

the Ministry hereby communicates its acceptance of all terms of the draft agreement on

the status of United States military personnel and civilian employees of the United States

Department of Defense, as embodied in Embassy note verbale No. 174 of July 6, 2012.

Accordingly, the Ministry requests that the Embassy of the United States of

America at Niamey to consider aforementioned note No. 174, together with this note, to

constitute an agreement between the United States of America and Niger.

Embassy of the United States of America,

Niamey
 2

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration, and Nigeriens

Abroad thanks the Embassy of the United States of America for its assistance and

[complimentary close].

[Initialed]

[Ministry stamp]