Reports from Niger say representatives from the United States will meet with members of the Nigerièn government to discuss the withdrawal of American troops from the country.
This meeting marks the beginning of a process to ensure an orderly and secure withdrawal of American forces, while maintaining bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
“Per the U.S. State Department, U.S. Ambassador to Niger Kathleen FitzGibbon and Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, U.S. Africa Command Director of Strategy, Engagement and Programs, will meet with National Committee for Safeguarding the Homeland (CNSP) officials April 25 in Niamey, Niger to initiate discussions on an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger,” Pentafon spokesman, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Wednesday in a statement.
Other Defence Department officials will conduct follow-up meetings in Niamey next week, and Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell will travel there “in the coming months to discuss ongoing collaboration in areas of joint interest,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.
The Nigerièn military leadership terminated the country’s longstanding military agreement with Washington in early March this year, declaring the presence of all US troops and contractors “illegal” because “it was not democratically approved and imposes unfavorable conditions on Niger, particularly in terms of lack of transparency on military activities,” according to Nigerièn government spokesman Amadou Abdramane.
The purpose of these discussions will be to discuss the terms of an orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces stationed in Niger, which have a strength of approximately 1,100 personnel.
The objective is to accomplish this step in close collaboration with the Nigerièn authorities, seeking to minimise any disruption to the security and stability of the country.
