The United States has announced plans to withdraw the majority of its troops from Chad and Niger as it seeks to renegotiate key agreements governing the American military's role in counterterrorism operations in the region. Both Chad and Niger have played crucial roles in supporting U.S. efforts to combat violent extremist organizations across the Sahel region.
Niger's ruling junta recently terminated an agreement allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country, while Chad has raised questions about the coverage of an existing agreement for U.S. forces. As a result, the U.S. will be relocating most of its approximately 100 troops from Chad and is expected to withdraw the majority of the 1,000 personnel stationed in Niger.
The State Department has confirmed that U.S. and Nigerien officials will meet to discuss the orderly withdrawal of American forces from Niger. These status-of-forces agreements enable the U.S. to conduct critical counterterrorism operations and military training within the borders of both countries.
The recent developments have raised concerns about waning U.S. influence in Africa, with reports of Niger turning to Russia for security assistance following the ousting of its democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers in July. Russian military trainers have arrived in Niger to bolster air defenses and provide training on Russian equipment.
Niger is a key hub for U.S. military operations in the Sahel region, hosting a major American air base in Agadez. The U.S. has invested significant resources in training Niger's military since commencing operations in 2013.
U.S. officials are engaging with Chad's government to advocate for the continuation of American military operations in the country. However, if the U.S. is asked to leave, alternative strategies will be explored to conduct counterterrorism missions across the Sahel region.
The potential departure of U.S. forces from Chad was initially reported by The New York Times, highlighting the evolving dynamics of international security partnerships in the region.
