The United States (US) Army has withdrawn its troops from a military base in Niger’s capital, Niamey. The troops will fully depart from Agadez in the north before a 15 September deadline set by the country’s military rulers, both nations said on Sunday, 07 July.
Niger’s military leaders scrapped the previous cooperation deal with Washington in March 2024 after seizing power through a coup d’état in July 2023.
The United States had around 650 soldiers in Niger as part of anti-jihadist missions in several Sahel nations of West Africa, including a major drone base near Agadez.
“The defence ministry of Niger and the US Defence Department announce that the withdrawal of American forces and equipment from the Niamey base 101 is now completed,” the two countries said in a statement.
A final flight carrying US troops was due to leave Niamey late Sunday.
The US presence had stood at around 950 troops, and 766 soldiers have left Niger since the military ordered their departure, AFP learned at a ceremony at the base attended by Niger’s army chief of staff Maman Sani Kiaou and US General Kenneth Ekman.
“American forces are now going to focus on quitting airbase 201 in Agadez,” the statement said, insisting that the withdrawal would be completed by September 15 as planned.
Niger had already ordered the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial power and traditional security ally, and has strengthened ties with Russia which has provided instructors and equipment.
On Saturday, 06 July Germany’s defence ministry also said it would end operations at its airbase in Niger by 31 August following the breakdown of talks with military leaders.
A similar shift has taken place in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also ruled by military leaders and continues to experience violence from jihadist groups.
