US troops leave Niger base at Niamey, German army to abandon Niger airbase
by AFP Staff Writers
Niamey, Niger (AFP) July 7, 2024

US troops have completed a withdrawal from their base in Niger's capital of Niamey and will fully depart from Agadez in the north before a September 15 deadline set by the country's military rulers, both countries said Sunday.

Niger's military leaders scrapped a military cooperation deal with Washington in March, after seizing power in a July 2023 coup.

The United States had around 650 soldiers in Niger as part of anti-jihadist missions in several Sahel nations of West Africa, including a major drone base near Agadez.

"The defence ministry of Niger and the US Defence Department announce that the withdrawal of American forces and equipment from the Niamey base 101 is now completed," the two countries said in a statement.

A final flight carrying US troops was due to leave Niamey late Sunday.

The US presence had stood at around 950 troops, and 766 soldiers have left Niger since the military ordered their departure, AFP learned at a ceremony at the base attended by Niger's army chief of staff Maman Sani Kiaou and US General Kenneth Ekman.

"American forces are now going to focus on quitting airbase 201 in Agadez," the statement said, insisting that the withdrawal would be completed by September 15 as planned.

Niger had already ordered the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial power and traditional security ally, and has strengthened ties with Russia which has provided instructors and equipment.

On Saturday, Germany's defence ministry also said it would end operations at its airbase in Niger by August 31 following the breakdown of talks with military leaders.

A similar shift has taken place in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also ruled by military leaders and faced with violence from jihadist groups.

German army to abandon Niger airbase
Berlin (AFP) July 6, 2024 - The German army will end operations at its airbase in Niger by August 31 following the breakdown of talks with the Sahel country's ruling junta, Germany's defence ministry said Saturday.

All Bundeswehr soldiers stationed at the base will be withdrawn by August 31 and German military cooperation with Niger will be put to an end, the ministry added.

The breakdown in negotiations marks Niger's latest diplomatic shift away from the West since a coup d'etat in July 2023 ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and brought the current military leadership to power.

Since then, Niger has turned towards Russia and Iran and away from the United States and former colonial ruler France.

A similar shift has taken place in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are likewise ruled by military leaders and faced with violence from jihadist groups.

At the end of May, Germany and Niger reached an interim agreement allowing the Bundeswehr to continue operating the air transport base in the capital Niamey until the end of August.

But negotiations to extend that agreement broke down, notably because the base's personnel would no longer benefit from immunity from prosecution.

Only 38 Bundeswehr soldiers were stationed at the base in recent times, along with 33 staff from German and foreign companies.

It was notably used for operations to evacuate German nationals in Africa.

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