“U.S. to Begin Plans to Withdraw Troops from Niger, Impacting Security Operations in the Sahel”

The United States to Begin Plans to Withdraw Troops from Niger

In a significant development, the United States has announced plans to withdraw its troops from Niger, a move that experts say will have far-reaching implications for security operations in the Sahel region. The decision comes after the prime minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, appointed by the ruling military junta, and U.S. deputy secretary of state Kurt Campbell, agreed to begin planning the withdrawal of American troops.

Niger plays a crucial role in the U.S. military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region, where the spread of jihadi violence is a major concern. The country is home to a major U.S. air base in Agadez, which has been used for surveillance flights and other operations. The U.S. has also invested heavily in training Niger’s military since 2013.

However, relations between Niger and Western countries have deteriorated since the ousting of the country’s democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers. The junta has turned to Russia for security assistance, leading to the arrival of Russian military trainers and equipment in Niger.

Despite efforts by the U.S. to revise the military agreement with Niger to allow them to stay, the agreement between Zeine and Campbell indicates that the U.S. troops will be withdrawing. The loss of access to air bases in Niger is seen as a major setback for the U.S. and its allies in the region, with concerns about the impact on security operations and development aid for Niger.

While the U.S. and Niger will continue to work together on areas of shared interest, the withdrawal of American troops marks a significant shift in the region’s security landscape. The future of security cooperation in the Sahel remains uncertain, with experts calling for a new mode of engagement that prioritizes accountability and human rights.