The United States is pursuing a new strategy to counter the dual threats of China and Islamist militants in West Africa by setting up drone bases along the coast, according to U.S. and African officials.
The U.S. is in talks with Ghana, Ivory Coast and Benin to allow American unarmed surveillance drones to use their airfields, The Wall Street Journal reported on Jan. 3. These countries, along with Togo, are relatively stable and prosperous, but face the risk of spillover from the Islamist insurgency that has plagued Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the Sahel region.
In the wake of a recent coup in Niger, the United States and France last October announced that they are actively exploring alternative countries to host their drone bases for counter-terrorism and surveillance missions. The coup in the West African nation has led to a significant reevaluation of their military presence in the region.
As France is being militarily dislodged by its former colonies in the region, the US has been trying to fill the void to prevent Russia and China from establishing further military presence.
General James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa, stated, “There are several locations I’ll say that we’re looking at, but nothing’s firmed up. We have talked to some countries about it.” While the U.S. is actively considering new host nations, they are also closely monitoring ongoing diplomatic efforts to address the situation, as a peaceful resolution is a preferred outcome.
The U.S. already operates military drones from a base in Niger, near the city of Agadez, which is considered its most strategic asset in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the landlocked location limits the range and reach of the drones, which are mainly used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
By establishing drone bases closer to the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. hopes to enhance its ability to monitor and respond to the activities of al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, which have expanded their attacks and influence in the Sahel in recent years. The U.S. also wants to deter and disrupt the plans of China, which is seeking to establish its first permanent naval base on the Atlantic coast, in Equatorial Guinea.
China’s military ambitions in West Africa pose a direct challenge to U.S. national security and interests, as its naval warships would be able to operate opposite the East Coast of the U.S., according to U.S. intelligence reports. China has been expanding its economic and military presence in Africa, offering loans, infrastructure projects and arms sales to various countries.
In a hearing of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, earlier in March, former Commander of the African Command, U.S. Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend stated the US and planned actions to prevent the formation of the Chinese Naval Base in Equatorial Guinea.
The U.S. has been trying to counter China’s influence by strengthening its partnerships and cooperation with African countries, especially those that are democratic and respect human rights. The U.S. has also been providing security assistance and training to African forces fighting against Islamist militants.
However, the U.S. faces some challenges and constraints in its efforts to establish drone bases in West Africa. Some African countries are wary of hosting foreign military bases, fearing public backlash or sovereignty issues. In 2008, Ghana rejected a proposal to host a U.S. military base, after protests erupted in its capital, Accra.
The U.S. plans to use only unarmed drones for surveillance purposes in West Africa, and not for lethal strikes, according to U.S. officials. The U.S. also intends to share the intelligence gathered by the drones with its African partners, to help them improve their own security and stability.
The U.S. hopes that by setting up drone bases in West Africa, it can achieve a dual purpose: to counter the threats of China and Islamist militants, and to support the development and democracy of its African allies.
The use of drones by the U.S. forces will likely enhance their ability to monitor the militant activities along the West African coast, and provide timely assistance to the local troops engaged in combat situations. This strategic move is aimed at improving the counterterrorism operations in the region, as France’s role as a military partner is declining, evidenced by the withdrawal of its troops from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. The U.S. drone deployment also raises concerns about the stability of Niger after the coup in July 2023, and its reliability as a strong U.S. ally, given the existence of the U.S. Agadez drone base.
The U.S. response to the Niger coup was swift and decisive. It cut off aid to Niger’s military and reduced its troop presence to about 650 soldiers. The U.S. Africa Command said that the drones from Agadez were mainly focused on protecting the remaining U.S. forces.
Nigérien Air Base 201,” was constructed at a considerable cost of $110 million, featuring a 6,200-foot runway tailored to accommodate MQ-9 Reapers, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, and manned aircraft. Since its inauguration in November 2019, the base has played a pivotal role in the U.S. military’s surveillance and intelligence operations in the region.
The coup in Niger in July disrupted the cooperation between the U.S. and its European partners and the country, which had been one of the largest beneficiaries of security and development assistance in Africa for the past ten years.
The Biden administration is now facing new and difficult challenges in its fight against the Islamist militants in Africa. One of the most important ones is how to resume operations at the U.S. Air Base 201, the most valuable military asset in a region that is becoming a global hotspot of terrorist activity.
The U.S. law requires the suspension of security and development aid to any country that experiences a coup, and the resumption of such aid only after democracy is restored. Therefore, while the U.S. officials have expressed their desire to re-establish security cooperation with Niger’s government, they will have to navigate a complex diplomatic situation, as the former Nigerien president, Mohamed Bazoum, is still under house arrest.
The United States had previously warned the Niger junta in August, stating that it might consider military intervention if the country’s military rulers did not return to constitutional order. This warning prompted a response from Russia, cautioning against military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing that it could lead to a protracted confrontation and further destabilize the Sahel region.
For France, the coup has forced them to find a new mission for their MQ-9 Reapers from the 33rd Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Attack Wing of the French Air Force. These drones had played a crucial role in Operation Barkhane, which officially ended following the coup.
France is also considering the Middle East as a potential location for their future drone missions, building on their existing deployment of drones at the planned H5 Air Base in Jordan. These changes signal a shift in the dynamics of counter-terrorism and surveillance missions in the region, as the U.S. and France adapt to new geopolitical realities following the coup in Niger.
Another challenge for the U.S. is the growing influence of Russia in the region, which is eager to take advantage of any rifts between Niger and the Western nations to expand its regional clout. Russia, which has recently signed a new defense pact with Niger, is already the preferred security partner of two neighboring countries that are battling Islamist insurgencies, Mali and Burkina Faso. The three countries, which are all under military rule, have pledged to enhance their cooperation under a new security alliance.