U.S. to Withdraw Troops from Niger Amid Russia's Growing Influence

The United States has agreed to withdraw its more than 1,000 troops from Niger, effectively marking a new regional gain for Russia, which has ramped up its focus on Africa and backed military regimes in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell accepted the call to remove troops in a meeting in Washington with the prime minister of the Nigerien junta, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.

A U.S. delegation will head to the capital Niamey within days to arrange an orderly withdrawal, though no timeline has been set. Niger was long a linchpin in the U.S. and French strategy to combat jihadists in West Africa, with the U.S. building a $100 million drone base in Agadez. However, relations between Niger and Western countries have frayed since a military coup in July 2023 ousted the democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

The ruling junta has been moving closer to Russia, with Russian military instructors arriving in Niger this month to train its troops. The U.S. will remove more than 1,000 service members from Niger, down from the over 1,000 troops that were there before the coup. The withdrawal is part of the "orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country" as the U.S. and Niger discuss the departure timeline.

Why this matters: The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger marks a significant shift in the regional power dynamics, with Russia's influence growing in the area. This move raises concerns about the future of counterterrorism efforts and stability in the Sahel region, which has become a hotspot for Islamist extremism and drug trafficking.

The loss of access to air bases in Niger is a major setback for the U.S. and its allies in the Sahel region, as these bases were crucial for security operations. The rupture of relations between the two nations would also impact development and humanitarian aid funds destined for Niger, a country facing significant challenges. U.S. officials are seeking a new mode of engagement with Niger that departs from the failed counterterrorism cooperation model of the past decade and continues to press other states in the Sahel region on accountability and human rights abuses.

Key Takeaways

• U.S. agrees to withdraw over 1,000 troops from Niger amid Russia's growing influence.
• U.S. to remove troops from $100M drone base in Agadez as relations with Niger fray.
• Niger's military junta moves closer to Russia, with Russian instructors arriving this month.
• Withdrawal marks a shift in regional power dynamics, raising concerns about counterterrorism.
• Loss of Niger bases is a setback for U.S. and allies in the Sahel, impacting aid and cooperation.