The US has begun the process of withdrawing military equipment and personnel from Niger following a delay in obtaining approval for US military flights into the country from the ruling military junta. The withdrawal deadline of September 15 had been agreed upon by the US and Niger. The priority for the US is to remove sensitive equipment from Niger, with US C-17 cargo aircraft being sent to Niamey for this purpose. Niger had previously been a central hub for US surveillance of extremist groups in the region and for training Nigerien troops, but these activities were halted following a coup last July.
A withdrawal agreement was reached last month between the US and Niger, giving the military four months to remove approximately 1,000 US personnel and military equipment from the country. The strained relationship between the US and the military junta was exacerbated by calls from Biden administration officials for free and fair elections in Niger. The military junta had previously called for the withdrawal of US forces from the country, which was further complicated by the need to remove sensitive US equipment and obtain flight clearances from the Nigerien military junta. US personnel who left before the agreement had to take commercial flights out of the country.
As the US prepares to withdraw from Niger, Russian forces have moved in and are operating at the same base as US forces. This arrangement caused tension between the US and Niger and raised concerns about the country’s military junta aligning with Russia. Russia has been actively expanding its influence in the region, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announcing plans to increase military instructors in Burkina Faso. US officials have warned of Russia’s aggressive efforts to expand its footing in African countries, with some expressing doubt about the possibility of future cooperation with Niger while Russian influence continues to grow.
Despite previous hopes of future cooperation with Niger, some US defense officials are now skeptical of maintaining a meaningful relationship with the current Nigerien leadership, especially in the face of expanding Russian influence in the region. The US and Niger had previously worked together to counter extremist groups in neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso, but the current situation has cast doubt on the prospects for continued collaboration. The withdrawal of US forces from Niger marks a significant shift in the region’s geopolitical dynamics, with Russia’s increasing presence raising concerns about potential shifts in alliances and influence.
