The Biden administration has begun the process of withdrawing U.S. troops from Niger, but the timeline for that effort was not immediately clear.
U.S. defense officials confirmed the early stages of the withdrawal process in a statement to FOX News Digital on Saturday, saying talks have begun between the U.S. and Niger for an “orderly withdrawal” of troops.
“I can confirm that talks have begun between the United States and Niger toward an orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country,” the official said.
The official did not provide a timeline for when troops would be withdrawn from the West African country, but said officials from the Pentagon and U.S. Africa Command would participate in discussions related to the withdrawal process.
US renews efforts to maintain foothold in Niger as junta seeks to remove troops
Protesters gather around a man holding a placard calling on U.S. soldiers to leave Niger without negotiations during a demonstration in Niamey, April 13, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)
“The Department of Defense is sending a small delegation from the Department of Defense and U.S. Africa Command to participate in discussions. We do not intend to speculate or pre-empt planning discussions regarding departure timing. No,” the official said.
The planned withdrawal, seen by some experts as a blow to the United States and its regional allies in conducting security operations in the Sahel, comes as U.S. officials seek a new military agreement. It was carried out in the same manner as stated.
Niger plays a central role in U.S. military operations in Africa’s Sahel region, on the edge of the Sahara Desert. The U.S. government is concerned about growing violence by jihadists, whose local groups have pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Niger has a major U.S. air base in the city of Agadez, about 890 miles from the capital Niamey. The air base is used for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations. The United States has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger’s military since it began operations there in 2013.
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Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Ramin Zein speaks at a press conference in Niamey, September 4, 2023. (Photo credit: -/AFP via Getty Images)
But Niger’s relations with the West have deteriorated since rebel fighters ousted the country’s democratically elected president in July. Since then, Niger’s military junta has instructed French troops to withdraw and instead turned to Russia for security. Earlier this month, Russian military trainers arrived to strengthen the country’s air defenses, equipping them with Russian-made equipment to train Nigerians for use.
There was an attempt on behalf of the United States to revise the military agreement that would allow Niger to remain, a U.S. official told The Associated Press. But an agreement between Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Ramin Zein and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell indicates that effort has failed.
Losing access to Niger’s air bases is a major setback for the United States and its allies in the region, given its strategic location for security operations in the region, said Peter Pham, former U.S. special envoy for the Sahel. Stated. To the Associated Press.
“In the short term, it will be difficult to replace them,” Pham said, adding that the remaining European Union military presence is likely to be withdrawn from Niger following news of the US withdrawal.
Nigerian trade unionists march on the streets of Lagos, Nigeria, to protest economic turmoil on February 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Aramba)
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Mr Pham said a rupture in relations between the two countries would impact on development and humanitarian funding going to Niger, which ranks at the bottom of many indicators of well-being.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
