The United States informed the government of Niger that it agreed to its request to withdraw US troops from the West African country, said three US officials....CONTINUE READING
In a meeting on Friday (April 19), Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine committed to initiate conversations in Niamey to begin planning an orderly and responsible withdrawal of US troops from Niger.
Over 1,000 US troops were stationed in Niger last year, utilising two bases. One notable base was a $100 million drone facility, Air Base 201, located near Agadez in central Niger.
Since 2018, the base has been used to target Islamic State militants and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen, an al Qaeda affiliate, in the Sahel region.
Last year, Niger’s army seized power in a coup. Until the coup, Niger had remained a key security partner of the United States and France.
Niger’s recent leadership change has led to a significant shift in alliances. The new government, like neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, has severed military ties with Western nations like the US and France.
They’ve also withdrawn from the regional economic bloc ECOWAS and pursued closer relations with Russia. These developments prompted the US to agree to Niger’s request for troop withdrawal.
Last month, Niger’s ruling junta said it revoked with immediate effect a military accord that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the US Department of Defense on its soil.
The Pentagon had said thereafter it was seeking clarification about the way ahead. It added the US government had “direct and frank” conversations in Niger ahead of the junta’s announcement, and was continuing to communicate with Niger’s ruling military council.
Hundreds took to the streets of Niger’s capital last week to demand the departure of U.S. troops, after the ruling junta further shifted its strategy by ending the military accord with the United States and welcoming Russian military instructors.
Eight coups in West and Central Africa over four years, including in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, have prompted growing concerns over democratic backsliding in the region..<<CONTINUE READING>>
