Whereas the Taliban is having fun with billions of {dollars} of U.S. weapons left by the Biden administration in Afghanistan, the army junta that seized management of Niger now has two U.S. bases which might be occupied by Russian troops.
The U.S. has formally handed over its final army bases in Niger to the Nigerien authorities, marking the top of a big counterterrorism mission within the area.
This handover was finalized on August 5, 2024, with the switch of Airbase 201 in Agadez, following the sooner withdrawal from Airbase 101 in Niamey. The departure comes after Niger’s army junta terminated the settlement that allowed U.S. troops to function within the nation in March 2024.
In 2023, the Niger army junta overthrew the democratically elected president. This coup led to the deterioration of relations between Niger and its Western allies, together with the USA.
The junta’s choice to finish the settlement allowing U.S. army operations was influenced by their want to pivot in the direction of different worldwide alliances, significantly with Russia. Moscow is now changing the U.S. and France because the nation’s safety companions, and Russian troops are shifting into the previous U.S. bases.
Following the coup, the junta suspended the structure, imposed exit bans on residents, and seized wealth. They’ve been accountable for important human rights violations, together with the arbitrary arrest and detention of opposition members, authorities officers, and journalists.
Lots of these detained have been held with out due course of and subjected to harsh circumstances. Media freedom has been severely restricted, with journalists dealing with threats, harassment, and arrest, main many to self-censor out of worry of reprisals.
Quite a few worldwide information broadcasters have been indefinitely suspended, creating an info hole. Moreover, the junta has withdrawn from a number of worldwide organizations, additional isolating the nation on the worldwide stage.
The U.S. army presence in Niger was primarily aimed toward combating Islamist terrorist teams within the Sahel area, together with these linked to al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State.
The Sahel area has skilled a wave of army coups lately, making Niger the final remaining democracy in addition to the final secure bases for U..S. counterterrorism operations.
Terrorist exercise within the area, together with assaults by Boko Haram, ISIS-Ok, and teams affiliated with al-Qaeda, has already elevated. With the U.S. army withdrawal, there’s a heightened danger of additional escalation.
This threatens not solely Niger however additionally regional companions like Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad, which have relied on U.S. assist for intelligence and army coaching to fight these terrorist threats.
After the handover of the U.S. bases in Niger, the U.S. army now has just one everlasting base on the whole continent: Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti (CLDJ). Along with Camp Lemonnier, the United States Africa Command maintains a number of non permanent or contingency places in Africa.
These embody army presences in Kenya (Manda Bay), Cameroon (Contingency Location Garoua), and Egypt (Multinational Pressure and Observers South Camp). These bases usually are not thought of everlasting however are utilized for particular missions, coaching, and assist for native forces.
China state media was fast to capitalize on the US withdrawal stating that Niger’s choice demonstrates “native vigilance, opposition towards hegemony.”
The World Occasions, mouthpiece of the Communist Get together of Chinese language (CCP) reported “For Niger, the entire withdrawal of the US troops implies that the African nation is constant on the trail of eliminating Western army intervention.
It is usually a transfer towards full independence from Western international locations.” This assertion is ironic, provided that Niger will now fall deeper into Moscow’s orbit and might be internet hosting the Russian army. In return for Russian army coaching, weapons, and assist, Moscow desires to achieve management of Niger’s uranium mines, which have been beforehand operated by France.
The departure from key army bases weakens the U.S.’s capability to conduct counterterrorism operations in West Africa, probably permitting terrorist teams to function extra freely.
This retreat additionally indicators a diminishing U.S. affect within the area, opening the door for Russia and China to broaden their presence and affect. Russia, specifically, has already begun to ascertain a stronger foothold in Niger and the area, offering army assist to all the juntas now controlling the international locations of the Sahel, together with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Chad.
This shift might alter the stability of energy in West Africa, as regional actors reassess their alliances and methods. For the U.S., this growth will necessitate a restructuring of its counterterrorism technique within the Sahel and a seek for new regional companions to host army operations.
Globally, the U.S.’s withdrawal from Niger could also be perceived as a retreat from its commitments, probably affecting its picture as a dependable accomplice in international safety. This message will possible be amplified by Russia and directed at Ukraine, in addition to by China in the direction of Taiwan.
This notion might have broader implications for U.S. international coverage, influencing the dynamics of its competitors with Russia and China not solely in Africa but additionally in different strategic areas around the globe. Notably within the Center East, which now stands on the point of a serious battle, a number of Islamic extremist teams within the Sahel, significantly these linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, have pledged their assist for Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Houthis.
This elevated alignment of extremist teams additional threatens regional stability and challenges U.S. efforts to take care of affect and safety partnerships.
