U.S. Military Personnel Withdrawal from Niger Underway, Complete by Sept. 15
The withdrawal of 1,000 U.S. military personnel from Niger is underway, marking the end of the Pentagon’s longstanding counterterrorism partnership in the Sahel region of Africa. The U.S. and Nigerien governments have agreed that all American troops will leave the West African country by Sept. 15, as announced by the Biden administration last month.
A joint statement by the two countries’ militaries outlined the terms of the pullout, which includes coordinating the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. This process involves establishing procedures for the entry and exit of U.S. personnel, as well as securing flight and landing clearances for military planes.
The decision to withdraw American forces from Niger comes after deteriorating relations between the two countries, following the military coup that ousted Niger’s president last July. Diplomatic negotiations failed to resolve the crisis, leading to Niger’s decision to end its military cooperation deal with the United States in March.
In a shift towards partnerships with Russia, Niger recently welcomed about 100 Russian instructors and an air-defense system, signaling a broader trend in the Sahel region of breaking ties with Western countries. This move follows the withdrawal of French troops, who have led counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.
The loss of U.S. military bases in Niger will impact counterterrorism and security efforts in the Sahel region, with discussions underway with other West African nations for potential future partnerships. The fate of the bases, including the sprawling installation in Agadez, remains uncertain, raising questions about potential Russian involvement in the region.
As the withdrawal of American forces from Niger progresses, the future of security cooperation between the two countries remains uncertain, with the possibility of resuming training or security assistance at a later date. The joint statement released on Sunday did not address the fate of the bases, leaving the door open for further developments in the region.
