US Ahead of Schedule with Niger Withdrawal

The last of the American troops stationed at Airbase 201 in Agadez, Niger, are set to complete their withdrawal by the end of next month, with the original withdrawal being scheduled for September 15, according to US Commander for Africa, General Kenneth Ekman..What You Need to Know.The early withdrawal date is the result of the "excellent coordination that we have had with our Nigerien military counterparts," said Ekman, speaking from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast..In mid-March, the Nigerien military junta, headed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, terminated its agreement with the US that allowed for the deployment of employees of the US Department of Defense on its territory..Initially, the US had approximately 1,100 troops in the country, with most stationed at Airbase 201, from which drone strikes were conducted against Islamic militants across the Sahel..Following the July 2023 coup which ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from power, the US reduced the number of troops in country to an estimated 648..The termination of the government's military agreement with the US followed the termination of the same agreements with France and then Germany, which had approximately three dozen troops stationed at an Airbase near Niamey airport..Germany announced its decision to withdraw on July 6th, with the final withdrawal date set for August 31st..Speaking earlier this month, German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock, claimed a "lack of trust" between Germany and the military junta prompted the withdrawal, with the nation initially extending Germany's lease of the airbase..Interestingly, the Italian Bilateral Support mission in Niger (MISIN), has maintained its presence in the country..Initially deploying in 2018, and with its headquarters near Niamey-Diori Hamani International Airport, the mission reduced its personnel to an estimated 250 after the July coup..In the pre-coup environment, the Italian mission undertook the training of Nigerien military personnel, bolstered anti-terrorism efforts in the Sahel, and worked in conjunction with the Nigerien security services to combat illegal immigration..In the post-coup environment the mission mainly aids the health sector and other lower-level government sectors such as the regional fire brigade command, to which they recently donated a fire truck, following the conclusion of a training course held by the Italian personnel..So, What Now?.The exit of US, French, and German forces from Niger illustrates the growing influence of Russia in the Sahel and Africa as a whole..However, the presence of Italian forces in the country, albeit in a diminished capacity, does present the nation with the opportunity to act as a link between the African country and the West..Furthermore, a recent humanitarian aid lift conducted by the EU, in conjunction with UNICEF into the country also provides Niger's civilians with a vital lifeline.