AFP: The US has completed the withdrawal of its military from a base in Niger’s capital Niamey
The US has completed the withdrawal of its military from a base in Niger’s capital Niamey, Agence France-Presse reports, citing a joint communiqué from the two countries.
“The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Niger and the US Department of Defence announce that the withdrawal of US forces and equipment from Air Base 101 in Niamey is henceforth complete,” the agency quoted the communiqué as saying.
It is noted that by 15 September the US should also withdraw its forces from the town of Agadez in the north of Niger.
According to the agency, Niger has already left 766 US military personnel.
Earlier, the US faced the problem of termination of military cooperation with Chad and Niger at the initiative of these countries. Former Pentagon analyst and retired US Air Force lieutenant Karen Kwiatkowski, commenting on these developments, earlier told RIA Novosti that such steps mark the end and failure of the US neo-colonial policy towards Africa.
Niger and US authorities agreed to complete the withdrawal of US troops from the African country no later than 15 September. Later, the Pentagon said that part of the US contingent would be withdrawn from Chad. It was reported that the withdrawal would affect about 75 people and would be completed as soon as possible.
In total, the number of US military personnel in Niger was reported to be about 1,100 and in Chad about a hundred.