In March, Niger’s military government declared the termination of a longstanding agreement with the United States, which had allowed US military personnel and Department of Defence civilian staff to operate within the country. Subsequent negotiations between a US delegation and Niger’s ruling military junta focused on securing a smooth withdrawal of US forces and obtaining necessary clearances for military flights, with the issue of flight permissions being a major point of contention.
The US Defence Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defence have agreed to withdraw US military forces from Niger by September 15. This newly established deadline allows for a four-month period for the drawdown of fewer than 1,000 troops, along with their equipment, including MQ-9 Reaper drones and other assets, from the African nation.
Congressional negotiations are ongoing, and the timeline could still shift.
The US withdrawal decision was prompted by escalating tensions with Niger’s ruling military junta, which has been in power since the July coup. The Biden administration’s repeated calls for a return to democratic elections have been rebuffed. The junta instead strengthened ties with Russia, whose military presence is now evident at the same base from which US forces are being withdrawn thereby marking a significant geopolitical shift in the region.
US troops who had earlier departed Niger used commercial flights to leave the country, with the remaining personnel who are now focused on managing the withdrawal process and removing equipment. A US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of Defence Chris Meier, engaged in high-level talks with Nigerien officials, headed by Col.-Maj. Mamane Sani Kiaou, Chief of Staff of the Nigerien army, to ensure a seamless withdrawal and finalize the details of the exit strategy.
