In an epochal shift in West Africa’s strategic landscape, U.S. forces have commenced the process of pulling out from Niger, adhering to a September 15 deadline mutually agreed upon following intense military discussions. This withdrawal marks the end of a significant chapter in the Sahel region’s counter-terrorism operations where the U.S. has maintained a pivotal role for well over a decade.
Over 1,000 U.S. personnel, stationed primarily at a major airbase near Agadez which was erected at a cost exceeding $100 million, are affected by this development. The airbase has served as a critical hub for surveillance missions targeting a vast expanse where armed jihadist groups proliferate and illicit trafficking thrives.
A senior defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed a palpable sense of regret, stating, “This is not a good outcome. We’re leaving Niger after a significant investment and a lot of time invested in the partnership.” The fading of these close ties can be traced back to last summer’s coup, which saw the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) ascend to power, prompting new government demands for foreign military exits, first with French forces and now, unequivocally, the Americans.
The March announcement by a CNSP spokesman that America’s military presence in Niger was no longer tolerable sent ripples of surprise and uncertainty through U.S. officialdom. Nevertheless, what may have initially seemed to be a rash decree solidified into an unavoidable reality, culminating in the current exodus.
As the withdrawal process unfolds, Niger has pledged to shield American forces during their retreat and to expedite various logistical components. The U.S. intends to relocate sensitive and lethal equipment, while leaving behind more cumbersome and less valuable assets, such as fixed structures. Despite logistical and cost concerns, the primary mode of departure is via air.
Complicating the situation are recent reports confirming Russian soldiers stationed near U.S. forces near Niger’s capital. This proximity has raised alarms about Moscow’s intentions and potential to fill the void left by the U.S. departure. However, U.S. officials expressed confidence, at least in the immediate term, that the Nigerians would not reallocate the remaining U.S. equipment to other governments.
Instead, it is anticipated that Niger will repurpose the residual assets for its burgeoning counter-terrorism efforts. A U.S. military official observed, “There’s definitely an interest right now in the [Nigerian] military to not upset things. I don’t think in the short term we’ll see them turn this equipment over to others.”
Despite the termination of U.S. operations in recent months, the Nigerien military continues its own initiatives against terrorism, drawing on the extensive training previously received from U.S. forces. This ongoing endeavor underscores a longstanding partnership that has featured extensive U.S. training, equipment, and education – a legacy that both countries hope will endure.
As America reassesses its strategic position in the Sahel, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is likely to visit Niger in the forthcoming months to deliberate on the future contours of bilateral relations. Reflecting on the withdrawal, a U.S. military official remarked, “They thought it was important to emphasize that they did not see this as the closing of the relationship.”
Relevant articles:
– US departure from Niger ‘already underway’ ahead of September deadline, Defense News, 05/20/2024
– US Forces Lose Strategic African Position In Niger, Barron’s, 05/19/2024
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