Niger’s ruling junta in April ordered the U.S. to withdraw 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.
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. 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 successful departure of U.S. personnel and assets from Air Base 101 was made possible through the Joint Disengagement Commission’s cooperative and transparent efforts. They included provisions for a small contingent of additional U.S. personnel to provide logistical support, ensuring the efficient withdrawal of remaining forces and assets.
Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs said, “Today we reflect positively on the past 15 years of security cooperation and shared sacrifice by U.S. forces and Nigerien forces,”
“I am grateful for the close collaboration with our Nigerien hosts to support the safe, orderly and responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces commemorated today at Air Base 101″, he added.
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“The government of Niger will assume control of former US areas and facilities” after the American troops leave the West African country, he emphasized.
However, “We have yet to define the next chapter of our bilateral security relationship with Niger. As we do, our close collaboration on the Air Base 101 withdrawal will help set the tone for those discussions.,” said Ekman..
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