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On August 29, Germany officially ended its military presence in Niger and abandoned the 101st Transport Air Force Base in Niamey. At a formal ceremony, military representatives of the two countries signed a document to finally close this strategic base.
The ceremony marked the final moment of the withdrawal of German soldiers from Niger. According to a member of the disengagement committee, while closing the base, their control was also handed over to Nigerien authorities. Before signing the documents, the two countries’ troops carried out a final inspection of the facilities before the last two flights took off from the base.
The withdrawal process required five aircraft, including A400M and Antonov 124, to bring back 60 German soldiers and 146 tons of material and equipment. The logistical disengagement was overseen by Mamane Sani Kiaou, Chief of Staff of the Niger Army and Chairman of the Disengagement Committee.
With this departure, Niger finds itself at a strategic crossroads. The end of the German military presence raises questions about the future of military relations between Niger and Western powers and the new alliances the country might forge as part of its defense and security.
Germany’s withdrawal is part of a broader context of a reconfiguration of the Western military presence in Africa, with some countries reassessing their commitments in the face of rapidly changing regional dynamics. For Niger, the departure could symbolize a desire to strengthen national sovereignty over defense matters.
Germany’s abandonment of the base opens up new opportunities for Niger, both in terms of the utilization of its infrastructure and in strengthening its independent military capabilities. The challenge for the Nigerien authorities will be to find a balance between international cooperation and strategic autonomy.
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