As US withdraws troops from Niger, Russian influence increases

US withdraws troops from Niger More than a thousand American soldiers will leave the West African nation in the coming months.

After reporting from The New York Times Sources told Reuters news agency that an agreement had been reached between the US State Department and the military junta in Niger regarding the withdrawal of troops.

Earlier, France expelled all its soldiers and diplomats from the country. It did this a few months after a military coup in Niger in the summer of 2023. Soon after the coup d’état, the criminals turned against the old settler and military cooperation ceased.

The US military has two bases in Niger, including a large drone base in the north of the country. The drone base cost the United States more than $100 million to build and is used for drone strikes against al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates in the Sahel region.

A drone base in northern Niger has been in use since 2018. I don’t know what will happen to the military base.

Niger has long been an ally of the US and the EU and they worked together militarily until conspirators came to power in Niger. The new authorities aligned themselves with military rulers in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.

The military junta in Niger recently suspended military cooperation with the United States. Hundreds of residents took to the streets last week to demand the departure of American soldiers, almost simultaneously welcoming Russian military instructors.

All three West African countries have strengthened ties with Russia. Last week, a group of military trainers and Russian Defense Ministry staff landed in Niger’s capital, Niamey. They were the so-called ‘Africa Corps’, a new name for Wagner’s mercenaries on African soil.

The coup in Niger has caused concern around the world. NOS op 3 produced the video below about the situation: