Africa News: US completes withdrawal from last military base in Niger

The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from Niger by closing its last base in Agadez. On Monday, August 5, a ceremony to hand over facilities was held, confirming that the 201st Air Base in Agadez is completely free of American soldiers and equipment.

The closure of the base follows the decision of the Nigerien government last March to denounce the military cooperation agreement with Washington, which Niger considers “illegal” and “unjust” and demands that US troops withdraw by September 15. The Agadez base is used for surveillance and reconnaissance flights in the Sahel region and until recently housed 200 US troops.

This decision to withdraw troops comes after a coup in 2023, when President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by the CNSP military junta. Initially, the United States tried to maintain its presence through negotiations with the new regime led by General Abdulrahman Tiyani. However, these efforts were unsuccessful and led to the gradual closure of US bases, including the one in Niamey, which withdrew 800 troops in July.

The future of military cooperation between the United States and Niger remains uncertain. The withdrawal negotiations included assurances from Nigerien authorities that the abandoned bases would not be occupied by Russia. Despite such promises, the CNSP junta has strengthened its ties with Moscow, recently receiving Russian instructors and military equipment.

The withdrawal of US troops could have an impact on stability and security in the Sahel region. The Agadez base played a vital role in surveillance operations against terrorist groups. Without this presence, the security dynamics in the region could change, complicating the situation for Niger’s Western partners.

Only a small number of Americans remain at the U.S. Embassy to handle final administrative details. The full withdrawal marks the end of a military presence that began in 2012 under President Mohamed Issoufou and has been gradually dismantled as the country’s political and military changes.