US military completely withdraws from Niger
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Washington's complete withdrawal follows Niger's decision to sever military agreements with Western countries in December 2023, with the US beginning to abide by the agreement in March.
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US and Niger military personnel visit the infrastructure at the US Army base In Agadez, Niger, on Monday, August 5, 2024. (AP)
The withdrawal of US military personnel from Niger is complete, a US official announced on Monday.
A small number of troops assigned to guard the US Embassy in the African country have remained, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters.
Last month, the US transferred its remaining military bases to local authorities, with around two dozen soldiers staying in Niger, primarily to carry out their administrative duties related to the withdrawal, Singh stated.
In March, Niger's junta terminated an agreement permitting US troops to operate in the country, with officials from both nations issuing a joint statement a few months later announcing the withdrawal will be completed by mid-September.
Niger distances itself from the West
The presence of US and other Western servicemen was to combat supposed terrorism in the country.
Nigerien media reported back in December 2023, citing a letter from the Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the diplomatic representatives of countries that maintain military bases in Niamey, that the Nigerien government is set to announce plans to reassess military agreements previously signed with Western countries.
According to the letter, this decision is a manifestation of their dedication to "safeguard" and protect the interests of the West African nation "in accordance with the demands of the Nigerien people."
"A draft memorandum of understanding will be submitted to them [partner countries with a military force stationed on Niger’s territory] to breathe new life into bilateral cooperation," it added.
Abandoning its Western partnerships, Niger turned to Russia for security. In April. army trainers arrived from Russia to reinforce and enhance the country's air defenses.
Germany withdraws all military forces from Niger
The US is just one of the Western countries Niger ended their military agreement with, alongside France and Germany.
Germany completed its full withdrawal from Niger after evacuating its airbase and flew its last troops back to Berlin on August 30.
A provisional agreement was reached in May allowing Germany to continue operating its airbase in Niamey until the end of August. Negotiations to extend the agreement, thus Germany's presence in Niger, then broke down when German troops and personnel operating the airbase no longer received immunity from prosecution.
Nigerien and German officials announced Germany's withdrawal from Niamey in a joint statement, "This withdrawal does not mark the end of military cooperation between Niger and Germany, in fact the two sides are committed to maintaining military relations."
Five cargo planes carried 60 German troops and 146 tons of equipment to Wunsdorf airbase as Germany's State Secretary for Defense, Nils Hilmer, met the arrivals landing in Germany.
