US to pull out troops from Niger

The United States has agreed to Niger’s request to withdraw US troops from the West African country, marking a significant shift in alliances and security partnerships in the region.

In a meeting between Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigerian Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, both parties committed to initiating conversations in Niamey to plan an orderly withdrawal of over 1,000 US troops stationed in Niger. The troops were primarily based at a $100 million drone facility, Air Base 201, near Agadez, which was used to target Islamic State militants and al Qaeda affiliates in the Sahel region.

Niger’s recent leadership change, following a coup last year, has led to a reevaluation of its alliances. The new government has severed military ties with Western nations like the US and France, withdrawn from regional economic bloc ECOWAS, and pursued closer relations with Russia. These developments prompted the US to agree to Niger’s request for troop withdrawal.

The ruling junta in Niger recently revoked a military accord with the US, leading to protests in the capital demanding the departure of US troops. The junta has also welcomed Russian military instructors, further complicating the security landscape in the region.

With eight coups in West and Central Africa over the past four years, including in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, concerns over democratic backsliding and instability continue to grow. The withdrawal of US troops from Niger reflects the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.