U.S. Military Completes Withdrawal: Last Base in Niger Handed Over

As the U.S. military concludes its presence, the last base in Niger has officially been handed over. Explore the details and future outlook for the region.

On Monday, the US will deliver its final military base to Niger in accordance with an agreement made between American forces and authorities in Niger that requires all US troops to exit the country by September 15.

One of the two primary locations used by the US for counterterrorism efforts in Niger is Airbase 201 situated within Agadez. Recently, American military personnel departed from Airbase 101 which functioned as a small drone base located in Niamey, Niger’s capital city.

This month, German soldiers are scheduled to depart. This move aligns with the broader pattern of Western forces exiting the Sahel region – an expansive area located south of the Sahara desert where factions associated with al-Qaida and Islamic State groups operate.

After the coups in Mali and Burkina Faso in 2020 and 2022 respectively, Niger experienced a military takeover in 2023. Subsequently, these three countries collaborated to expel foreign troops while adopting an unyielding stance towards France and its allies.

Strategic Stabilization Advisors, a risk consulting group with teams located across the Sahel and coastal West Africa is directed by Aneliese Bernard. The company’s headquarters are based in Washington D.C.

While acknowledging the problematic nature of counterterrorism operations by Western powers in the region, she stated that Niger’s security may be severely compromised if French, European and American forces are absent. This will have a negative impact on everything from business activities to humanitarian assistance in Sahel.

According to her, any extractive activity outside a major city would be insecure. Without establishing your own private security in places like Agadez where uranium is present, you are operating recklessly and without direction.

At this point, it remains unclear how the junta will handle partnerships moving forward – especially in terms of accessing natural resources. This was indicated by Bernard.

One of Niger’s largest uranium mines had its operating permit revoked by the government, affecting French fuel manufacturer Orano.

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Bernard mentioned that many assumptions are being made about the CNSP’s strategic approach, such as prioritizing partners who can offer security in exchange for monopoly shares of certain industries, while withdrawing its own trading resources. He gave an example where Turkey has provided military equipment and private military contractors to Niger in return for access to their oil.

Recently, rumors circulate of American and Canadian companies in talks with SOPAMIN – the company responsible for uranium mines in Niger- which challenges previously held assumptions. She further added this information.

The most destitute inhabitants of a nation that is already ranked among the world’s poorest are believed by Bernard to be in additional peril because of the lack of security.

According to her, humanitarian workers face the risk of being targeted by armed groups in conflict with the military while working outside major cities due to a new requirement for them to have military escorts.

“According to her, numerous NGOs will opt not to operate in rural areas or decrease their field operations. As a result, the individuals residing in peripheral regions who belong to highly vulnerable groups will have minimal access to humanitarian assistance.”

Additional sources : AP