Germany to Withdraw Army Personnel, Equipment from Niger Base by August

The German Ministry of Defense has announced plans to relocate personnel and equipment from its air transport base in Niamey, Niger, by August 31, 2024.

The U.S. is withdrawing its personnel and equipment from Niger by September 15. On July 7, it vacated Air Base 101 in Niamey and will soon vacate a major drone base in Agadez. This decision follows strained relations since Niger's military coup last summer, prompting a joint decision with Niger to initiate the withdrawal of American forces, including nearly 1,000 military personnel ordered out by Niger's ruling junta in April. In April, Russia sent military trainers to Niger.

In a statement, Berlin stated that this decision comes amidst a reassessment of its military cooperation with Niger, citing security concerns and the expiration of the current interim agreement governing the base. Initially established in 2016 to support the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), the Niamey base has operated at reduced capacity since Germany's conclusion of involvement in the mission in December 2023. The withdrawal process, expected to take approximately eight weeks, aims to prioritize the safety of German soldiers amidst evolving regional security dynamics.

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Despite the withdrawal, the German government intends to maintain bilateral training assistance for Niger on a limited basis, focusing on non-lethal areas such as medical services, transport, maintenance, and logistics. Additionally, injured and disabled Nigerien soldiers will continue to receive treatment in Bundeswehr hospitals.

The decision underscores Germany's ongoing interest in regional stability in the Sahel to combat terrorism and illegal migration, while also seeking to mitigate Russian influence in the area. Political volatility in neighboring countries like Senegal has further influenced Germany's security policy considerations in West Africa.

Looking ahead, discussions with non-governmental organizations and stakeholders emphasize the importance of maintaining diplomatic and security ties with Niger, albeit at reduced operational levels. The Ministry of Defense remains committed to ensuring a stable Sahel region, acknowledging the varying security challenges across different parts of Niger influenced by neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Mali.