A high-level U.S. delegation led by Assistant Secretary of Defense Christopher Maier met with Nigerien officials on Wednesday to discuss the withdrawal of American troops from the West African nation.
This move comes after Niger’s military junta, which seized power in a July 2023 coup, demanded the U.S. pull out.
Currently, around 650 American troops and hundreds of contractors are stationed in Niger, assisting regional efforts against insurgent groups.
However, the new regime has increasingly turned to Russia for security support.
Niger seeks an “orderly” and “swift” withdrawal, calling the U.S. presence “illegal.” This comes after the junta also expelled French troops, traditional security partners in the former colony.
This meeting marks the first official interaction since Niger unilaterally ended its military cooperation agreement with the U.S. in March.
The U.S. agreed to the withdrawal in April, with most troops stationed near the $100 million drone base in Agadez, northern Niger.
Niger’s Prime Minister claims the U.S. threatened sanctions to prevent a potential uranium sale to Iran, though he denies any such deal exists.
Despite the security tensions, the U.S. maintains a $500 million, three-year development aid program with Niger.
This situation highlights the shifting alliances in the Sahel region as Niger’s new leadership seeks alternative security partners.
The withdrawal of Western forces could create a power vacuum, potentially impacting regional counter-terrorism efforts.
