The United States began the slow withdrawal of military equipment and additional personnel from Niger on Friday.
According to statement from the US Department of Defence and the Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Niger, Washington has begun a slow shift to withdrawal from Niger, preparing for the pull-out after months of waiting for the ruling military junta to authorise US military flights into the country.
“The US Department of Defence and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Niger announce that the withdrawal of US forces and assets from Niger has progressed from initial preparations to redeployment. This significant transition began with the departure of a USAir Force C-17 Globemaster III from Air Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024,” according to the statement.
The news comes on the eve of the 15 September withdrawal deadline agreed upon by the two countries. Sources said the US priority was to get sensitive equipment out of Niger first. Also, the personnel who left the country before the agreement was concluded left on commercial flights.
On Friday, a US C-17 cargo plane was on its way to Niger’s capital Niamey. Most of the US military forces and equipment were in Niamey, at the so-called Base 101. The source confirmed that the flight was intended to withdraw military equipment and some personnel.
The US and Niger had earlier reached the agreement to withdraw US troops from the country, giving the military four months to remove about 1,000 US troops and military equipment from the West African nation.
Grounds for pull-out of troops, equipment
“The Americans stayed on our soil, doing nothing while the terrorists killed people and burned towns. It is not a sign of friendship to come on our soil but let the terrorists attack us,” according to Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine in The Washington Post.
Washington has made efforts to maintain a military presence in Niger, but earlier this year the military junta called for a withdrawal of US troops from the country, a process complicated by the need to remove US equipment.
The announcement followed a coup in the North African country last year by a group of military leaders who formed a military junta government in favour of co-operation with Russia, which operates from the same base as US troops. Russia is working hard to expand its influence in the region. For example, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Burkina Faso this week and announced an increase in Russian military in the region.
Niger also ordered France to withdraw its troops. Therefore, France completed the withdrawal of its troops from Niger in the middle of December after the new junta asked them to leave the country.
The US has previously expressed hopes of working with Niger to counter extremist groups in neighbouring countries. However, US officials now believe the US is unlikely to continue any meaningful relationship with Niger’s current leadership, especially at a time of Russian influence in the region.
