# US completes withdrawal from Nigér

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2024/09/us-completes-withdrawal-from-niger/
- Published: 2024-09-18T13:59:07+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel and Military Africa

The U.S. military said on Monday it had completed its withdrawal from Niger.

The West African nation’s ruling junta in April [ordered the U.S. to withdraw](https://www.military.africa/2024/03/nigers-junta-terminates-military-agreement-with-the-us-amidst-political-shifts/)
its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country, in an embarrassing setback
for Washington that followed a coup last year in the West African nation.

The US [agreed in April ](https://www.military.africa/2024/04/us-agrees-to-pull-troops-from-key-drone-base-in-niger-as-russian-troops-arrive/)
to pull troops from key drone base in Nigér, subsequently, Military instructors 
and personnel from Russia’s defence ministry [arrived in Nigér](https://www.military.africa/2024/04/russian-troops-weapons-arrive-niger/),
signaling that the West African country is building closer relations with Moscow
like its junta-led neighbours. The military instructors are bringing an air defense
system and will train the Nigerien troops.

In May, the Pentagon [issued](https://www.military.africa/2024/05/u-s-combat-troops-withdrawing-from-niger-amidst-strategic-shifts/?)
a formal directive for the withdrawal of all 1,000 U.S. combat troops from Niger,
marking a significant shift in the United States’ counterterrorism operations and
its strategic stance in West Africa.

Before the coup, Niger had been a key partner in the U.S. fight against insurgents
in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced
millions more.

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Washington is searching for a Plan B in West Africa but the process is slow and 
officials caution that U.S. intelligence is dimming on the fast-growing extremist
groups in the region. The United States and France are [actively exploring alternative countries](https://www.military.africa/2023/10/us-and-france-seek-new-host-country-for-drone-base-after-niger-coup/)
to host their drone bases for counter-terrorism and surveillance missions. The coup
in the West African nation has led to a [significant reevaluation](https://www.military.africa/2023/08/future-of-us-drone-base-in-niger-in-question/)
of their military presence in the region.

The U.S. withdrawal from Niger was carried out in phases, with U.S. forces and assets
[withdrawing from Air Base 101 in Niamey](https://www.military.africa/2023/08/future-of-us-drone-base-in-niger-in-question/)
on July 7, and Air Base 201 in Agadez on Aug. 5. The U.S. military said on Monday
the U.S. Africa Command Coordination Element, consisting of a two-star general and
staff, has also departed from Niger, and that the withdrawal was complete by a Sept.
15 deadline.

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The move [disrupts longstanding counterterrorism efforts](https://www.military.africa/2023/08/future-of-us-drone-base-in-niger-in-question/)
in the Sahel region, where Niger, and specifically the U.S.-constructed drone base
at Agadez, has been central to U.S. strategy. The base’s importance has been underscored
since last summer’s coup, which saw the Nigerien military seize government control.

The U.S. presence in Niger has also served as a counterbalance to Russia’s expanding
influence in the area. Following the coup, Russian military personnel, including
those previously affiliated with the Wagner group, have been reported to be present
at [Base 101 in Niamey](https://www.military.africa/2019/06/security-concerns-stall-u-s-military-drone-operations-in-niger/),
where they have been co-located with American forces. While there is no immediate
threat reported, concerns persist over the potential for these Russian fighters 
to engage in provocative actions against U.S. personnel.

“Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Niger’s forces and supported partner-
led counterterrorism missions against Islamic State and al Qaeda in the region,”
it said in a statement.
“The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry
of National Defense recognize the sacrifices made by both nations’ forces.”

Their departure comes amid concerns about the growing number of extremist groups
operating in the West Africa region.

Groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State organisation operate in the vast
region south of the Sahara desert.

One of them, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, known as JNIM, is active in 
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and is looking to expand into Benin and Togo.

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Despite the exit of American troops, a senior US officer told AFP in August that
Washington still has “shared security objectives” with Niamey.

The next step is to listen to Niger’s needs “for a future security relationship 
with the United States,” said Major General Kenneth Ekman, who coordinated the withdrawal.

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