The agreement between the US and Niger will result in the withdrawal of US military forces from Niger by September 15, giving the US four months to drawdown fewer than 1,000 troops and their equipment, including drones, from the country. Niger’s military government had previously ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in the country. Negotiations between the US delegation, led by Chris Meier, and the Nigerien delegation, led by Col.-Maj. Mamane Sani Kiaou, focused on ensuring the secure withdrawal of US forces and obtaining clearances for military flights, which had been a sticking point in the negotiations.
The joint statement released by both delegations confirmed guarantees of protection and security to American forces during their withdrawal, as well as established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of US personnel. The deepening divide between the US and the ruling military junta in Niger following last year’s coup led to the decision to withdraw, as the Biden administration called for a return to free and fair elections, which the military junta rejected. Instead, they began partnering more with Russia, whose forces are now operating at the same base from which US forces are withdrawing. Despite the withdrawal, the US and Niger expressed their commitment to continuing to work together on areas of common interest.
Emerging from sensitive negotiations, the US delegation secured guarantees of protection and security for American forces during their withdrawal, as well as established procedures for facilitating the entry and exit of US personnel. The decision to withdraw US forces from Niger was a result of the deepening divide between the US and the ruling military junta following a coup last July, with the Biden administration advocating for a return to free and fair elections, a call that was rebuffed by the military junta. Instead, the junta turned to partnering more with Russia, whose forces are now operating at the same base from which US forces are withdrawing. Despite the withdrawal, both countries have expressed a commitment to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations.
