The U.S. is withdrawing its troops from Niger; the units played a central role, both physically and politically, in the U.S. military’s operations in Africa’s Sahel region. Washington is concerned about the proliferation of jihadist violence in regions where indigenous factions have sworn loyalty to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State organizations.
A State Department official confirmed to CBS News that Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine “committed today to initiate conversations in Niamey to begin planning an orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S troops from the West African country.” “They affirmed the importance of the bilateral relationship and agreed to pursue collaboration in areas of joint interest.”
There are about 1,000 U.S. military personnel located in Agadez, 550 miles from the Nigerien capital, Niamey. Since their mission first started in 2013, the U.S. has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Nigerian military forces.
Tensions have escalated between Niger and Western nations after a coup d’état by mutinous soldiers who overthrew their democratically elected president last July. The newly instituted government subsequently instructed French forces to depart and sought security assistance from Russia instead, intensifying the conflict. Russia has taken the place of the U.S. by providing training to Nigerien forces.
In October, the United States formally classified the military seizure as a coup, resulting in the activation of U.S. laws that limit military assistance and aid to Niger. In March, a U.S. delegation traveled to Niger for high-level discussions aimed at finding a mutually agreeable solution to address the concerns of both parties, according to a State Department official speaking to the AP.
