Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., is calling for the House Armed Services Committee to summon Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a congressional hearing to evaluate how the State Department’s recent foreign policy decisions have put U.S. forces in Africa at risk. Gaetz’s goal is to ensure that the Global Fragility Strategy is not negatively impacted by recent failures in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso that have compromised security for U.S. troops. Gaetz also wants to hear testimony from other officials regarding policies and strategies that he believes have endangered U.S. service members in Africa.
In a recent report, Gaetz claimed that the Biden administration is suppressing intelligence reports about U.S. military relations in Niger and that troops are being “held hostage” without access to essential supplies. He expressed concerns about the deteriorating diplomatic situation in Niger, comparing it to the 2012 Benghazi attack. Although Gaetz credited his efforts to pressure the administration for the decision to remove troops from Niger, a Biden administration official denied any connection between the decision and Gaetz’s actions. State Department officials have refuted Gaetz’s claims and emphasized that U.S. forces in Niger continue to be supported with necessary resources.
Relations between Niger and Western countries have strained since a military junta ousted the country’s democratically elected president in July. The junta has sought security partnerships with Russia, prompting concerns about the future of U.S. military operations in the region. Niger plays a significant role in U.S. operations in the Sahel region, a key area for combating jihadi violence. The planned departure of U.S. troops from Niger poses challenges for Washington and its allies, especially as local groups have aligned with extremist organizations like al Qaeda and ISIS.
The U.S. has maintained a military presence in Niger since 2013, investing significant resources in training Niger’s military and operating a key air base in Agadez. The air base supports surveillance and security operations in the region, playing a crucial role in U.S. efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel. A U.S. defense official confirmed the initial stages of discussions between the U.S. and Niger regarding the orderly withdrawal of American forces from the country. The decision to remove troops comes amid shifting security dynamics in Niger and concerns about the future of U.S. military engagement in the region.
Overall, Rep. Matt Gaetz’s efforts to hold a congressional hearing on the State Department’s foreign policy decisions in Africa, particularly in Niger, reflect his concerns about the safety of U.S. forces in the region. Gaetz’s report highlighted alleged failures and mistreatment of service members, prompting calls for accountability and transparency from administration officials. The decision to withdraw troops from Niger marks a significant shift in U.S. military operations in the Sahel region, raising questions about the future of security partnerships in the area. As diplomatic tensions between Niger, Western countries, and Russia escalate, the situation underscores the complex challenges facing U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability in Africa.
