US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell recently met with Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine to discuss the military presence of US troops in the country. Following Niger’s demands, an agreement was reached for the US to militarily withdraw from Niger. The timeline for the withdrawal will be determined in the coming days through discussions with the Department of Defense.
This decision marks a significant drawdown of US troop presence in Africa and is a response to concerns about Niger's deepening relationships with Russia and Iran. The New York Times was the first to report on the expected withdrawal.
This meeting between Campbell and Zeine was the second of the week, with discussions taking place during Campbell's visit to Washington, DC for the World Bank’s spring meetings. Last month, Niger announced the revocation of its military cooperation deal with the US, leading to further contentious interactions between the two countries.
Zeine emphasized a desire for continued partnership with the US, distinguishing Niger's situation from that of France. Despite this, both countries are expected to be militarily withdrawn from Niger within a year of each other. The US will maintain a diplomatic presence in the country.
Recent developments in Niger include a whistleblower complaint filed by a senior airman, alleging that US officials suppressed intelligence to maintain a positive country-to-country relationship. Additionally, Chadian officials have threatened to cancel the Status of Forces Agreement, potentially impacting the operations of US military personnel in Chad.
While the situation in Niger continues to evolve, the US government is navigating diplomatic and military challenges in the region to ensure the safety and security of its personnel and interests.
