US Completes Military Withdrawal from Niger Amidst Rising Tensions
The United States military has officially completed its withdrawal from Niger following a military coup that took place in July 2023, which ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum. This significant move comes as part of an agreement made with Niger's new military authorities, resulting in the suspension of most military cooperation between Washington and Niamey. The US military confirmed that nearly 1,000 troops have been withdrawn as part of this process, marking a pivotal shift in the US's strategic presence in West Africa.
In the wake of the coup, the ruling military council in Niger requested the withdrawal of American forces, further straining relations and pushing the nation closer to Russia, a strategic rival of the US. This development is particularly concerning for US officials, who have noted that monitoring the increasing insurgencies in West Africa has become increasingly challenging. The US had been a crucial partner in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region, which has seen a surge in violence, leading to thousands of deaths and displacing millions.
The withdrawal was executed in phases, with US forces departing from Air Base 101 in Niamey on July 7 and Air Base 201 in Agadez by August 5, culminating in the completion of the withdrawal by the September 15 deadline. Over the past decade, US forces had been instrumental in training Nigerien troops and supporting counterterrorism operations against groups like ISIS and al-Qaida. The US Department of Defense, alongside the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense, acknowledged the sacrifices made by American forces during their deployment.
