In a significant move, the United States is set to withdraw its troops from Niger, according to a source familiar with the matter, who disclosed the development late on Friday. The decision follows an agreement reached between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Niger’s leadership.
As of last year, there were slightly over 1,000 U.S. troops stationed in Niger, operating from two bases, including a drone base known as Air Base 201 near Agadez in central Niger, with an expenditure exceeding $100 million. Since 2018, the base has played a crucial role in targeting Islamic State militants and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, an al-Qaida affiliate, in the Sahel region.
Last year, Niger experienced a military coup, altering its political landscape. Previously a vital security partner for the United States and France, the new authorities in Niger have pivoted towards ending military agreements with former Western allies, quitting regional blocs like ECOWAS, and fostering closer relations with Russia.
Also, read; Nigerian Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Smashes World Record in 60-Hour Marathon
The withdrawal of troops will initiate conversations about the logistics of the drawdown, according to the source, who requested anonymity. However, diplomatic and economic ties between the U.S. and Niger are expected to endure despite this development.
Earlier on Friday, The New York Times reported that over 1,000 American military personnel would depart Niger in the coming months. This decision follows Niger’s ruling junta’s revocation of a military accord that permitted U.S. Department of Defense personnel on its soil.
The Pentagon sought clarification after the junta’s announcement, emphasizing that the U.S. government engaged in direct and candid discussions with Niger ahead of the decision. However, the ruling military council in Niger has since signaled a shift by welcoming Russian military instructors, prompting public demonstrations in the capital demanding the departure of U.S. troops.
The series of coups across West and Central Africa in recent years, including in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have raised concerns about democratic erosion in the region, further complicating the security landscape.
