US Troops to Withdraw from Niger by August: May Set Up Bases at Other Sahel Countries for Counterterrorism

July 7, 2024

(3 Minutes Read)

Ekman said that West African nations want to work with the U.S. and may be open to an expanded American presence. However, he did not detail the locations, but other U.S. officials have pointed to the Ivory Coast and Ghana as examples.

American commander stationed in Niger, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman said that the U.S. would withdraw all its forces and equipment from a small base in Niger this weekend. However, fewer than 500 remaining troops will leave a critical drone base in the West African country in August only. The deadline set for complete withdrawal is September 15.

He further said that small teams of 10-20 U.S. troops, including special operations forces, have moved to other countries in West Africa. But the bulk of the forces will go to Europe, at least initially. The US had critical drone bases in the Sahel region to carry out critical counterterrorism activities, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group operate.

Under the junta agreement, two-thirds of U.S. troops and equipment must be out of the country by July 26, Ekman said. That deadline, which forced the Pentagon to move quickly, is a key reason why U.S. Africa Command will complete its withdrawal of all 1,000 troops from Niger early.

Ekman said other coastal West African nations are concerned about the Sahel-based threats and want to talk about how they can partner with American forces while adding that small teams of U.S. troops moving to other West African nations are not combat forces but advisers, as well as special operations, personnel recovery, and intelligence and surveillance forces. Niger’s junta ordered U.S. forces out of the country in the wake of last July’s ouster of the country’s democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers.