The United States’ military presence in the strategic Sahel region of Africa hangs in the balance, as negotiations with the governments of Niger and Chad regarding the future of American troops in these countries remain unresolved. A senior U.S. military official informed that a definitive decision regarding the withdrawal of all American troops from Niger and Chad, pivotal African nations in the military’s campaign against violent extremist groups in the Sahel region, has not yet been reached.
Last month, Niger’s ruling junta terminated an agreement permitting U.S. troops to conduct operations within the country. The State Department announced Wednesday evening that discussions between U.S. and Nigerien authorities would commence Thursday in Niamey, the capital, aimed at coordinating a structured and conscientious withdrawal of U.S. forces.
The impending meeting is occurring amidst the backdrop of both nations failing to come to terms on sustaining cooperation in a manner that accommodates the respective needs and concerns of each party, as stated by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Additionally, Admiral Christopher Grady, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the second-highest-ranking military officer in the United States, revealed in an interview that the Chadian government has recently raised doubts about its agreement with the U.S.
Grady expressed, “We are all trying to establish ourselves as the partner of choice. It’s up to us to establish why we think our partnership with them is important. We certainly want to be there. We want to help them, we want to empower them, we want to do things by, with and through (them).” Despite U.S. officials announcing on Saturday the initiation of preparations to withdraw troops from Niger, they emphasized that negotiations regarding a fresh military accord were still underway.
Grady noted, “There’s still negotiations underway. I don’t believe there is a final decision on disposition of U.S. forces there.”
Tensions have escalated between Niger and Western nations following the ousting of the democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers in July. Subsequently, Niger’s junta instructed French forces to depart and sought security assistance from Russia instead. Earlier this month, Russian military trainers arrived to bolster the country’s air defenses and provide training to Nigerien personnel with Russian equipment.
Chad’s government recently requested the departure of U.S. forces, prompting collaboration between officials from the State Department, U.S. Africa Command, and the Pentagon to advocate for their retention, as stated by Grady. Efforts will involve on-the-ground engagement to address concerns. Grady emphasized that if both nations agree on the departure of U.S. forces, alternative strategies for conducting counterterrorism operations in the Sahel region will need to be devised, requiring recalibration and adaptation by the military.
Relevant articles:
– No Final Decision on Withdrawing US Troops from Niger and Chad, Top Official Tells AP, Military, 04/26/2024
– US Troops’ Withdrawal from Niger and Chad Remains Uncertain, Oneindia, Wed, 24 Apr 2024 23:24:20 GMT
– US to pull troops from Chad and Niger as the African nations question its counterterrorism role, NEWS10 ABC, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:56:39 GMT