American troops to leave Niger by mid-September as nations reach agreement
The United States and Niger have agreed that American troops will leave the Sahel nation no later than 15 September.
The two nations announced in a joint statement on May 19 that representatives of the US Department of Defence and the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Niger had been in discussions to facilitate the withdrawal of some 1,000 American troops currently stationed in Niger.
According to the statement, discussions took place from May 15 to 19, 2024, in Niamey, the Nigerien capital.
“Representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger met from May 15 to 19, 2024, in Niamey, Republic of Niger, as part of a Joint Disengagement Commission, to coordinate the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. These discussions between the militaries were conducted in complete transparency and with perfect mutual respect between the two parties,” the statement read.
“The U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of Niger have reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which has already begun. It is therefore agreed that this disengagement will end no later than September 15, 2024,” the statement adds.
According to the US Department of Defence, the US will continue relations with Niger despite the withdrawal of American forces from the country.
“The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations,” they added.
In March 2024, Niger’s military government announced the end of its accord with the US. Last year, the West African nation also ended its military agreement with France, a former colonial power, who had been sent to combat extremists.
Niger has also severed ties with regional democracies and pursued closer ties with other junta-led countries, such as Burkina Faso and Mali, by leaving the West African regional body, ECOWAS, which opposed their military takeovers.
The country remains under the rule of General Abdourahamane Tiani after he seized power on July 26, and took former President Mohamed Bazoum hostage.
