Title: Future of US Military Presence in Niger Uncertain After Recent Coup
Subtitle: Coup raises concerns over US ability to fight Islamist militants in the Sahel region
Washington D.C. – The recent military coup in Niger has raised questions about the United States’ ability to maintain its military presence in the country. US officials and analysts argue that the US has played a crucial role in combating Islamist militants in the Sahel region and have concerns about the future of a 1,100-strong US military presence.
For the past decade, US troops have provided counterterrorism training to Nigerien forces and operated two military bases in the country. One base is dedicated to carrying out drone missions against the Islamic State and an Al Qaeda affiliate in the region.
However, since the coup on July 26 that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and revoked military cooperation agreements with France, the situation has become uncertain. While the United States has not yet received any requests to remove its troops, there are concerns about potential safety risks for US military personnel, as regional bloc ECOWAS threatens military intervention and Russia’s Wagner mercenary group offers assistance to the coup leaders.
The US relies on its drone base in Niger for counterterrorism efforts in the region, and the closure of the base would be a significant blow to these efforts, according to unnamed US officials. The Biden administration has not officially designated the military takeover in Niger as a coup, but it has paused certain foreign assistance programs for the country, including military training and programs supporting Niger’s counterterrorism capabilities.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who declined to comment on the future presence of US troops, cited that they were positioned in Niger with the approval of the ousted government. The US drone base in Niger has grown in importance due to the lack of Western security partners in the region. The closure of French military bases in Mali and Burkina Faso, along with the planned shutdown of a 13,000-strong UN peacekeeping force, further emphasizes the significance of the US presence.
However, there are concerns about US military personnel’s safety if the members of ECOWAS decide to intervene militarily. The junta in Niger defied an ECOWAS deadline to reinstate the ousted president, but experts argue that a rapid military intervention is unlikely.
Another concern is the potential involvement of Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group designated a transnational criminal organization by the US. Wagner’s chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has welcomed the coup in Niger and expressed a willingness to restore order through his forces. Should Wagner forces enter Niger, it is uncertain how it would impact the US military presence. A few dozen Wagner fighters based in the capital, Niamey, may not automatically necessitate the departure of US forces. However, if thousands of Wagner fighters spread across the country, including near the US drone base in Agadez, safety concerns for US personnel may arise.
US officials maintain that the decision to stay or leave Niger ultimately rests with the Nigerien government. They emphasize the importance of the US mission and suggest that the US will only abandon it if specifically asked to do so. As the situation unfolds, the US will carefully evaluate its presence in Niger and consider the implications for its counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region.
In accordance with Reuters’ policy, the officials quoted above have not been named. The report was compiled by Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis, and Simon Lewis, in collaboration with reporting by Reuters correspondents worldwide. Michelle Nichols, Don Durfee, and Deepa Babington edited the report to meet Thomson Reuters’ standards.