The operation of withdrawing American troops from Niger has officially begun after the signing of a mutual agreement between the two countries on May 19th 2024.
The agreement will see American troops leave Niger by September 15th where they will have to clear out their equipment, and 946 soldiers based across various places in the country.
Both countries has come to an agreement, a move will not impact their relation.
The operation begun in the key locations such as Agadez, Ouallam and Diffa headed to Niamey international airport’s squadron base for departure.
“More than 269 US personnel, out 946 and several tons of equipment have departed Niger,” General Kenneth Ekman head of U.S troops in Niger said.
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The U.S air force C-17, globe master III from airbase 101 in Niamey departed on June 7th along with the 269 soldiers.
In a report last month, Niger prime minister Ali Lamine Zein accused American soldiers for failure to deal with terrorist.
“The American stayed in our soil while terrorist killed people and burnt towns,” Zein said. “It is not a sign of friendships to come to our soil but let the terrorist attack us,” he added.
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This withdrawal process came after the French departure from Niger where they were ordered to withdraw their troops at the end of 2023, this was the arrival of the Russian military instructors, as Niger seek to diversify their partnership.
The Russian have already occupied one of the two American base’ the 101’ base which has been cleared as they await to settle on the other.
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