Faith Nyasuguta
As the United States prepares for its military withdrawal from Niger, an intriguing development unfolds as American troops find themselves sharing an airbase with Russian trainers. According to a U.S. official, Airbase 101 in Niamey hosts international troops, including contingents from Germany, alongside the U.S. forces.
Confirming these reports from Honolulu, Hawaii, the U.S. Secretary of Defense addressed concerns regarding the cohabitation of U.S. and Russian forces in Niger. He clarified that while the Russians occupy a separate compound within the airbase, they have no access to U.S. personnel or equipment. Emphasizing the paramount importance of troop safety, he assured that ongoing surveillance would monitor the situation closely.
The commencement of talks in late April between Niamey and Washington marked the beginning of discussions for the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in two airbases within Niger. Although the Pentagon has announced the imminent departure of U.S. troops, a precise timeline has yet to be provided.
This strategic reshuffling of military presence in the Sahel region sees the majority of U.S. troops in Niger relocating from Niamey to Airbase 201 near Agadez, approximately 920 kilometers away from the capital.
This relocation comes in the wake of political upheaval, with mutinous soldiers ousting Niger’s democratically elected president last July. Subsequently, the ruling junta expelled French forces and sought security assistance from the Russian mercenary group, Wagner.
Previously, the U.S. relied heavily on Niger, where one of its key bases was located. The Agadez base in northern Niger has played a pivotal role in U.S. counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, facilitating manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other strategic missions.
Since commencing operations in Niger in 2013, the U.S. has invested substantial resources, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, in training Niger’s military.
As of last year, over 1,000 U.S. troops were stationed in Niger. In addition to the relocation from Niger, the Pentagon has announced plans to temporarily move most of its forces deployed in neighboring Chad. This decision coincides with Chad’s forthcoming presidential election on May 6th, with security cooperation expected to resume thereafter.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, reassured reporters that the departure from Chad is a temporary measure, part of an ongoing review of security cooperation. He affirmed that cooperation would resume following Chad’s presidential election.
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