Faith Nyasuguta
The United States military has officially concluded its withdrawal from Niger, marking the end of a significant military presence in the West African nation, according to Reuters. This comes after Niger’s junta, following a coup last year, ordered nearly 1,000 U.S. troops to leave the country, giving them a deadline of September 15.
The U.S. military presence in Niger was centered around two major bases, Air Base 101 in Niamey and Air Base 201 near Agadez. These bases were vital in the U.S.’s fight against terrorism in the Sahel region, providing crucial support for counterterrorism operations targeting Islamic State (ISIS) and al Qaeda affiliates such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen. Since 2018, U.S. troops trained Nigerien forces and conducted partner-led operations aimed at combating extremism.
However, following the coup, the junta leadership shifted the nation’s alliances, demanding the withdrawal of U.S. forces in favor of building closer military ties with Russia. In phases, the U.S. military began its exit. The first withdrawal occurred on July 7 from Air Base 101, followed by the departure from Air Base 201 in Agadez on August 5.
Finally, on Monday, the U.S. Africa Command Coordination Element, which included a two-star general and staff, completed their exit, bringing the withdrawal to a close ahead of the deadline.
While the withdrawal signals an end to a decade-long U.S.-Niger military partnership, the U.S. Department of Defense emphasized the sacrifices made by both nations in countering terrorism in the Sahel. “Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Niger’s forces and supported partner-led counterterrorism missions,” a statement from the U.S. military read. Despite the departure, the U.S. has warned Niger’s leadership against forming military ties with Russia and Iran.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which now form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have been pivoting away from Western alliances, as seen with Niger’s growing relationship with Russia. The Russian government has already dispatched military trainers to help Nigerien forces and establish an air defense system. In addition, both Niger and its AES counterparts are strengthening their military cooperation with Russia to solidify their stance in the region.
The U.S. is now strategizing on how to maintain a presence in West Africa despite this shift. The withdrawal from Niger raises critical questions about the future of counterterrorism operations in the region, as Russia’s influence in the Sahel continues to grow. The U.S. must now reconsider its approach to addressing the rising extremism in West Africa, especially given the power shift among key Sahel nations.
The U.S. and ECOWAS have expressed concerns about the growing partnership between Russia and these three nations, warning that the region’s security and economy could be impacted by such alliances. Meanwhile, the Alliance of Sahel States is pressing forward, issuing new biometric passports and developing shared communication channels as part of their broader exit from Western influence.
RELATED:
