ALBAWABA - The United States began withdrawing military equipment and troops from Niger on Friday after months of waiting for the governing military junta to permit US military flights to the country's airspace.
The US Department of Defense and the Republic of Niger's Department of National Defense made this announcement on Sunday ahead of the two countries' agreed-upon September 15 withdrawal date.
According to a person familiar with the situation, the United States' initial priority was to evacuate critical equipment from Niger.
Last month, the US and Niger reached an agreement to withdraw American soldiers from the country, authorizing the Pentagon for four months to remove around 1,000 US troops and military equipment from the West African nation.
The US had trained Nigerian troops over the years, however, training operation was halted last July after a coup in Niger. The relationship between the US and the military junta deteriorated as Biden administration officials demanded a clear roadmap to free and fair elections.
Despite efforts to preserve a military presence in Niger, the military junta requested early this year for the removal of US personnel, which was hampered by the necessity to remove classified US equipment.
In early March, Gen. Michael Langley, the director of US Africa Command, told Congress that Russia is actively expanding its foothold in African countries, with many "at the tipping point" of coming under Russian grip.
Recently, several US defense officials voiced confidence in future collaboration with Niger, citing years of joint efforts to combat terrorist organizations in neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso.
The hope has faded; another official told CNN that the US is unlikely to maintain a meaningful connection with the present Nigerien government, especially as Russian influence grows in the region.
