US Transfers Last Military Base in Niger to Nigerien Authorities

The United States has officially handed over its last military base in Niger to the ruling military junta, marking the completion of a withdrawal initiated by Niger's leaders in March. This move follows the overthrow of Niger's elected government by the National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) in July 2023. The junta criticized U.S. forces for their perceived inaction against terrorism, with Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine describing negotiations with U.S. officials as condescending and threatening. Despite U.S. officials asserting that they provided Niger with a choice regarding its relationship with America, the situation escalated, leading to the Pentagon's order for the withdrawal of approximately 1,000 American combat troops. Critics, including Rep. Matt Gaetz, expressed concerns about the potential risks of leaving U.S. forces in a volatile environment, drawing parallels to past military failures. Ultimately, U.S. forces withdrew from Airbase 101 earlier this month, followed by the handover of Airbase 201 in Agadez. The withdrawal signifies a significant shift in Niger's alliances, as the country has increasingly turned towards Russia for security assistance. Russian military trainers have recently arrived to bolster Niger's air defenses, further distancing the nation from its Western partners. The U.S. and France had previously maintained a military presence in the region to combat growing jihadi threats, but the loss of these bases complicates counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State are active.