U.S. Military to Start Withdrawal from Niger Air Base

The United States is in the process of vacating one of its air bases in Niger, part of a broader effort to withdraw personnel and equipment from the country by September.

This withdrawal follows a joint decision announced last month by Niger and the U.S., prompted by strained relations since a coup led by the military junta known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) last summer.

 Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command confirmed the U.S. is on track to complete the orderly withdrawal from Niger it agreed to with Niger's government. 

"We are on pace and on plan," he said. "There's a joint statement out between the U.S. government and Niger on us being able to complete the movement of equipment and personnel by 15 September."

"We are on track to complete the removal of heavy equipment from Air Base 101 soon, followed by Air Base 201," Langley added.

Over the past decade, Niger has served as a key hub for U.S. counterterrorism operations, with over 1,000 personnel stationed primarily at the centrally located air base, which cost more than $100 million.

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Regarding the relocation of equipment, General Langley emphasized ongoing assessments across coastal West Africa and neighboring regions to support counterterrorism efforts through partner nations. He stressed that these nations are seeking capabilities rather than direct troop deployments, focusing on intelligence sharing and crisis response capabilities.

Acknowledging the presence of Russian advisers and trainers in Niger, where U.S. forces are still withdrawing, General Langley noted concerns about broader Russian activities across Africa, including disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining Western-African partnerships.

Defense leaders from dozens of African nations met on June 25 as part of the 2024 Africa Chiefs of Defense Conference. This is the first year the U.S. has co-hosted the conference with an African nation. It is also the first time the conference will take place in Africa.