The United States and Niger are in discussions to withdraw American troops from the West African nation, ending over a decade of U.S. military presence in the country. Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that discussions have begun for the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger, with a small delegation from the Pentagon and U.S. Africa Command participating in the talks. The U.S. is committed to working with nations in the region to address terror threats, but has not announced a timeline for the withdrawal of over 1,000 military personnel stationed at a drone base in the Sahara desert near Agadez.
The decision to withdraw American troops from Niger comes after the ruling military junta revoked a 2012 military cooperation deal with the U.S. last month. The junta accused the American delegation of having a condescending attitude and threatening reprisals against the people of Niger, and of trying to deny the Nigerien people the right to choose their partners to fight against terrorism. This move by Niger’s military government follows France also withdrawing troops from the country amid a shifting geopolitical landscape in the Sahel region, where Niger has been a key ally to Western nations in the fight against Islamist militants.
Niger’s ties with Western nations have been strained as the country turns to Russia for security cooperation. Earlier this month, the first deployment of officers from Russia’s African Corps arrived in Niger to develop military cooperation between Russia and Niger and to train Nigerien military personnel. This move has raised concerns about Russia’s growing influence in the Sahel region, with the commander of U.S. African Command warning that a number of countries are at risk of being captured by the Russian Federation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia is committed to helping African countries strengthen their sovereignty and security.
The decision to withdraw American troops from Niger also comes as tensions rise between the U.S. and the ruling military junta, which took power after ousting the democratically elected government in July 2023. The U.S. had raised concerns about Niger’s potential relationships with Russia and Iran, as well as the status of U.S. forces in the country. Videos circulating on social media showed hundreds of people protesting against the U.S. military presence in Agadez, where the drone base is located. The U.S. is now navigating a complex situation in Niger as it aims to withdraw troops while maintaining relationships with other countries in the region.
The withdrawal of American troops from Niger marks a significant shift in the U.S. military presence in West Africa. As Niger and other countries in the region navigate changing geopolitical dynamics and security threats, the U.S. and other Western nations will need to reassess their approach to counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region. The involvement of Russia in security cooperation in Niger adds a new dimension to the complex security landscape in West Africa, with implications for regional stability and U.S. interests in the region. The withdrawal of American troops from Niger underscores the evolving challenges and opportunities in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel region.
