US and Niger agree to withdraw military forces by September 15

The United States has reached an agreement with Niger to withdraw its military forces from the African nation by September 15, according to the US Defense Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense. This decision comes after Niger’s military government announced in March that it had ended an accord with the US that allowed military personnel and civilian staff from the Department of Defense to operate in the country.

The US has four months to drawdown fewer than 1,000 troops who remain in Niger, along with their equipment, which includes MQ-9 Reaper drones and other assets. Despite the impending withdrawal, US officials see potential for a continued relationship with Niger. The Defense Department has worked with the Nigerien military for over a decade, focusing on counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.

Negotiations for the withdrawal have been sensitive, with flight clearances for military flights being a sticking point. The US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of Defense Chris Meier, met with Niger’s ruling military junta to secure the withdrawal of US forces and ensure clearances for military flights. The joint statement released by both parties confirmed guarantees of protection and security for American forces during their withdrawal.

While Russian forces have already begun operating at the base in Niamey, where US forces are now limited, US officials believe it is unlikely that American equipment will fall into Russian hands. The US and Niger have committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations, indicating that cooperation may continue in areas of common interest.