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6 months ago
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The United States and Niger have agreed that American troops will leave the country “no later than” September 15, they announced in a joint statement on Sunday.
They said the two countries had "reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which has already begun . "
The United States relies on Niger as its main base to monitor regional jihadist activities.
The military junta that took power last year has already ordered the departure of French troops, while moving closer to Russia.
The statement hailed the "joint sacrifices of Nigerien and US forces in the fight against terrorism" , adding that the withdrawal will not affect the continuation of US-Nigeria relations.
“The United States and Niger are engaged in an ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations ,” we read.
The agreement was concluded following marathon negotiations between the two countries in Niamey.
In March, Niger announced the end of its military agreement with the United States. Military spokesman Colonel Amadou Abdramane accused the United States of raising objections to the allies chosen by Niger.
Colonel Abdramane condemned the United States for its “condescending attitude” and its “threats of reprisals” .
Tensions rose between the United States and Niger after the overthrow of elected President Mohamed Bazoum last year.
Niger is in Africa's Sahel region, considered the new global epicenter of the Islamic State group.
US forces have used two military bases in Niger to monitor Islamist militant groups in the Sahel.
The United States built a $100 million (£80 million) military base six years ago in the central city of Agadez, 750 km (460 miles) northeast of Niamey.
She played a key role in the American strategy to fight jihadists in West Africa.
The United States has more than 1,000 troops stationed on this base.
It is the second Western power to withdraw from Niger.
Last year, Niger expelled the former colonial power's French troops, who had also been deployed to fight jihadists.
As Niger moves away from the West, it moves closer to Russia.
Last month, Russian military instructors arrived in Niger under a new agreement with its military leaders.
Niger also broke away from local democracies and sought stronger regional alliances with fellow junta-led countries Burkina Faso and Mali.
The trio left ECOWAS, the West African regional body that opposed their military takeovers.
They also left the French-backed G5 Sahel force, deeming it ineffective and undermining African sovereignty, and launched their own defense pact called the Alliance of Sahel States.
English (US)