US agrees to pull troops out of Niger
US military personnel are preparing to depart Niger, bringing an end to their involvement in the battle against Islamist insurgents.
Following the coup last year, military leaders in Niger have pursued closer relations with Russia.
Additionally, the US has announced the closure of its drone base near Agadez in the Sahara desert.
Niger, situated in Africa’s Sahel region, is now recognized as the focal point for the Islamic State group.
The US has utilized Niger as its primary hub for monitoring jihadist activities in the region.
A delegation from the US will soon travel to Niamey, Niger’s capital, to coordinate the orderly withdrawal of over 1,000 troops.
This decision, announced on Friday, comes after discussions in Washington between Kurt Campbell, the US deputy secretary of state, and Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.
The move is perceived as a setback for President Biden’s administration, which had opposed the withdrawal.
The $100 million military base, established just six years ago, has been pivotal in the joint US-French effort to counter jihadist threats in West Africa.
But Niger’s relations soured with both Western countries last year following the coup and the military leaders have sought closer security ties with Russia.
Dozens of Russian military instructors have arrived in Niger in recent weeks, bringing with them a state-of-the-art air defence system, according to state media reports.
Niger has also distanced itself from local democracies and sought stronger regional alliances with fellow junta-led nations Burkina Faso and Mali.
The trio have quit Ecowas – the West African regional body which opposed their military takeovers.
They have also quit the French-backed G5 Sahel force, saying it was ineffectual and undermined African sovereignty, and have launched their own defence pact called the Alliance of Sahel States.
