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Rabat – The United States has scaled back its aid to Niger, citing the military coup that ousted the democratic government and the withdrawal of French troops. The move signals a stark departure from the long-standing international support for Niger and reveals growing concerns about the nation’s political stability and security.
The French troop withdrawal, initiated at the request of Niger’s military leaders who took power in July, has added a layer of complexity to the fragile situation in the West African country.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the departure of approximately 1,400 French soldiers and airmen, who had been stationed in Niger to combat jihadist threats alongside the Nigerien forces.
These troops were strategically positioned, with around 1,000 stationed in Niamey and 400 at two forward bases in the western region of Ouallam and Tabarey-Barey, situated at the heart of the “three borders” zone connecting Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The French soldiers began vacating their bases, and the initial convoy was escorted by Niger’s post-coup regime towards Chad, marking a significant shift in the security dynamics of the region. This decision has raised concerns about the potential power vacuum and its consequences.
Read also: Niger: Military Topples President Mohamed Bazoum
In response to the political upheaval, the United States officially declared Niger’s military coup in July as a move that overthrew a democratically elected government that was considered a crucial ally in countering Russian influence.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized that any resumption of U.S. assistance would be contingent on swift and credible actions taken to restore democratic governance. The US, together with West African nations and France, had been exerting pressure on the military junta to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum, who was ousted during the coup.
A senior US official explained the rationale behind the decision, stating: “We’re taking this action because over the last two months, we’ve exhausted all available avenues to preserve the constitutional order in Niger.”
The United States maintains approximately 1,000 military personnel in Niger, but their role has shifted, with no active involvement in training or assisting the Nigerien forces. Instead, their primary focus is on monitoring threats posed by jihadist groups, which continue to be a significant concern in the region.
