The Pentagon has confirmed the imminent withdrawal of U.S. Special Operations forces from Chad, marking the second major retraction of American military presence in Africa within a week. This decision is being made against a backdrop of shifting alliances and increasing demands from African nations for renegotiated military cooperation terms.
Approximately 75 Army Special Forces personnel operating out of N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, are poised to begin their relocation back to Germany by May 1. This move comes on the heels of the Biden administration’s announcement of the withdrawal of over 1,000 U.S. military personnel from Niger.
The repositioning signifies a responsive measure to a communiqué from the Chadian government that implied the potential termination of a critical security agreement with the U.S. Despite the withdrawal, a small number of other U.S. military personnel working in various advisory roles within the embassy are not affected by this change.
The departure of U.S. military advisors from the region unfolds as Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso show a growing inclination toward partnerships with Russia. The United States had previously warned Chad of Russian mercenaries conspiring against the Chadian president and had noted Moscow’s efforts to cultivate relationships within the country’s ruling elite.
The presence of American forces in Chad was premised on a shared commitment to counterterrorism, specifically targeting the threat posed by the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Lake Chad basin. The U.S. Africa Command has underscored Chad’s role as a key partner in collaborative efforts to combat extremism in the Sahel.
Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, referred to the move as a “temporary step” amidst an ongoing review of security cooperation, with discussions set to resume post Chad’s presidential elections on May 6. In the interim, the strategic implications of this retraction raise pivotal questions concerning the U.S. approach to counterterrorism in the region.
Notably, the letter prompting the repositioning of U.S. forces was not sent through official diplomatic channels, which has been a source of confusion and speculation. Some interpret it as a tactical move by the Chadian military and government officials to secure a more favorable agreement with the U.S.
Relevant articles:
– U.S. to Withdraw Troops From Chad, Dealing Another Blow to Africa Policy, nytimes.com, 04/27/2024
– U.S. troops to leave Chad, as another African state reassesses ties, The Washington Post, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:34:00 GMT
– US Troops To Leave Chad In Second African State Withdrawal, Barron’s, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:41:24 GMT
– No final decision on withdrawing US troops from Niger and Chad, top official tells AP, The Associated Press, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:59:00 GMT
– US pulling troops from Chad, Niger, The Hill, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:35:00 GMT