US Agrees to Withdraw Troops from Niger Following Government Request
The United States has agreed to Niger’s request to withdraw US troops from the West African country, marking a significant shift in alliances following a recent leadership change.
In a meeting between Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, both parties committed to initiating conversations in Niamey to begin planning an orderly and responsible withdrawal of over 1,000 US troops stationed in Niger last year.
One of the notable bases utilized by US troops was a $100 million drone facility, Air Base 201, located near Agadez in central Niger. Since 2018, the base has been instrumental in targeting Islamic State militants and an al Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel region.
Niger’s army seized power in a coup last year, leading to a shift in alliances as the new government severed military ties with Western nations like the US and France. The recent leadership change also saw Niger withdrawing from the regional economic bloc ECOWAS and pursuing closer relations with Russia.
Last month, Niger’s ruling junta revoked a military accord with the US Department of Defense, prompting the Pentagon to seek clarification about the way forward. The US government had “direct and frank” conversations with Niger ahead of the junta’s announcement and continues to communicate with Niger’s ruling military council.
The decision to withdraw US troops comes as hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Niger’s capital to demand the departure of American troops. The ruling junta further shifted its strategy by ending the military accord with the US and welcoming Russian military instructors.
With eight coups in West and Central Africa over the past four years, concerns over democratic backsliding in the region have been growing. The withdrawal of US troops from Niger adds to the uncertainty surrounding security and stability in the region.
(With inputs from agencies)
