Niamey, Niger – In a significant move, U.S. troops are set to complete their withdrawal from Niger by mid-September after being ordered out by the ruling junta of the West African country. The decision, following four days of discussions between defense officials from both nations in Niamey, marks a shift in military cooperation between the United States and Niger. The expulsion of American forces dealt a blow to U.S. military operations in the Sahel region, where groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State operate.
Last July’s ousting of Niger’s democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers set off a chain of events leading to the current situation. The ruling junta later requested French forces to leave and sought security assistance from the Russian mercenary group Wagner. As a result, the United States designated the military takeover as a coup in October, triggering restrictions on military support and aid to Niger under U.S. laws.
Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain in Niger, primarily stationed at an airbase near Agadez, about 550 miles from the capital. The Agadez base has been crucial to U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, prompting significant investment and military collaboration between the two countries. The Pentagon plans to relocate most of the forces stationed in neighboring Chad for the time being, with ongoing discussions next month focusing on revising an agreement to allow U.S. troops to be based in Chad.
The rift in military ties between the U.S. and Niger underscores the shifting dynamics in the region, as geopolitical interests continue to influence security arrangements. Despite the withdrawal of American troops, the impact on security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel remains uncertain. The decision by Niger to expel U.S. forces reflects a broader realignment of alliances and partnerships in West Africa.
The evolving situation in Niger raises questions about the future of U.S. military presence in the region and its implications for regional security. With the Pentagon’s commitment to relocate forces and reassess partnerships in neighboring countries, the landscape of counterterrorism operations in the Sahel may undergo significant changes. As discussions unfold and new security arrangements take shape, the geopolitical competition and security challenges in the Sahel region are likely to intensify.