The U.S. has handed over its last military base in Niger, marking the completion of its withdrawal from the country and signaling a significant shift in American security strategy in West Africa.
The U.S. Department of Defense and Niger's Ministry of Defense announced in a joint statement on Monday that Airbase 201 in the city of Agadez has been transferred to local authorities. This came after U.S. troops withdrew earlier this month from Airbase 101, a small drone base in Niger's capital of Niamey. The withdrawal is part of an agreement between the U.S. and Nigerien authorities that requires all American troops to leave the country by September 15.
The U.S. had maintained a presence in Niger for over a decade, using the bases as hubs for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, a vast region south of the Sahara desert where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group operate. However, Niger's ruling junta ended the agreement in March, citing concerns about the U.S. military's presence in the country.
U.S. Completes Withdrawal from Niger, Ending Counterterrorism Operations in West Africa
The withdrawal has forced the U.S. to abandon a critical base that was used for counterterrorism missions in the Sahel. This region has become increasingly unstable in recent years, with groups like Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) expanding their operations. JNIM is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and is looking to expand into Benin and Togo.
The U.S. and France had more than 2,500 military personnel in the Sahel until recently, and together with other European countries had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance and training. However, Niger's ouster of American troops has raised concerns about the future of security cooperation in the region.
U.S. Completes Withdrawal from Niger, Ending Counterterrorism Operations in West Africa
In recent months, Niger has pulled away from its Western partners, turning instead to Russia for security. In April, Russian military trainers arrived in Niger to reinforce the country's air defenses. This move has been seen as a setback for U.S. and European efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel.
The U.S. military is now seeking new alliances in West Africa to fill the void left by its withdrawal from Niger. Officials have visited several countries in the region, including Ghana, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, to explore potential partnerships. However, it remains unclear whether any of these countries are willing or able to host U.S. troops and equipment.
The withdrawal from Niger highlights the challenges facing the U.S. in the Sahel. The region is facing a growing threat from terrorism, and the U.S. is struggling to find effective ways to combat it. The withdrawal from Niger is a major setback for U.S. counterterrorism efforts, and it remains to be seen how the U.S. will respond to the evolving security landscape in the region.
