# U.S. handover Command and Control (C2) center to Niger

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2019/02/u-s-handsover-command-and-control-c2-center-to-niger/
- Published: 2019-02-09T17:04:48+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The United States has handed over a Planning and Operations Control center to the
Niger army to help the African nation battle Boko Haram.

According to the U.S. Ambassador Eric Whitaker, said during the handover ceremony
on Monday, February 4 that the planning and operations control center, worth $16.5
million (€14.4 million), is designed to help Niger forces synchronize its operations
through improved communications, U.S.

Niger is currently a U.S. and French strategic partner in the fight against Islamist
terrorism in Africa. Various terror groups allied with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
that operates along the borders with Libya, Mali and Nigeria.

The center known as a ‘Command & Control (C2) Node’ comprises of two tactical operations
units equipped with sophisticated communications material.

Eric Whitaker announced that the C2 center would “streamline pertinent battlefield
information to commanders, so that they can best employ their forces” explaining
that the U.S. believes that these capabilities are critical to helping Niger defeat
Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations.

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The Niger Government has previously given permission to the U.S.[ to operate armed MQ-9 Reaper drone](https://www.military.africa/2019/02/u-s-handsover-command-and-control-c2-center-to-niger/military.africa/2018/08/u-s-mq-9-reaper-drones-in-niger-are-now-armed)
currently deployed to Niger’s Air Base 101 in Niamey in a long-term strategic partnership
between the U.S. and Niger to combat [violent extremism](https://www.military.africa/2019/02/u-s-handsover-command-and-control-c2-center-to-niger/military.africa/2018/07/african-conflict-map-a-comprehensive-guide)
in the region.  There is also a drone base in Agadez that provides surveillance 
of [Boko Haram](https://www.military.africa/2019/02/u-s-handsover-command-and-control-c2-center-to-niger/military.africa/?s=boko+haram)

The U.S. has already provided Niger with Cessna C-208 surveillance planes, armored
personnel vehicles and small craft known as mud boats, along with other equipment
and training.

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The US presence in Niger was revealed on October 4, 2017, when four US soldiers 
and five Nigerien troops were killed in an ambush by fighters affiliated with the
Islamic State group.

In the same vein, the United States also provided a new [Command and Control (C2) center to the Chadian Military](https://www.military.africa/2019/02/u-s-handsover-command-and-control-c2-center-to-niger/military.africa/2018/05/chadian-military-to-get-u-s-army-command-and-control-c2-center)
in order to enable it coordinate its defense activities.

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