The United States recently pulled its troops out of Niger after 11 years of defence cooperation, marking a significant blow to its influence in the Sahel region of West Africa. The US had established military bases in Niger to monitor armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, but relations deteriorated when Niger’s military government cancelled a security agreement and ordered the US to remove its personnel. The US was unable to align with or oppose the ruling military, leading to the withdrawal order.
With its military presence in Niger gone, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is seeking new partners in the region. However, its options are limited due to rivalry with Russia, which is also vying for influence in the area. AFRICOM is engaging in constructive dialogue with countries like Benin and Cote d’Ivoire, but experts believe the US must now find a balance between surveillance missions in a less resource-heavy manner while maintaining effectiveness.
The US has maintained a military presence in African countries as a way to monitor armed groups and respond to threats before they reach US soil. AFRICOM has bases in various countries such as Chad, Djibouti, and Kenya, targeting groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS in the Sahel region. However, challenges have arisen in maintaining effective operations due to changing political dynamics and shifting alliances in the region.
The decline in US military influence in West Africa can be attributed to strained relations between Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger with former colonial power France. Anti-French sentiment has grown in the region as many question the effectiveness of foreign troops in deterring armed groups. This has opened the door for Russia to deploy fighters to bolster local militaries, further complicating the security landscape in West Africa.
The US’s military investment in Niger, including building costly bases and conducting surveillance operations, aimed to support local security forces and counter armed groups in the region. However, transparency over US operations in Niger became an issue, leading to questions about the effectiveness of US military presence. Some experts believe that the absence of US drones in Niger has resulted in more deadly attacks by armed groups.
In light of the US’s withdrawal from Niger, the focus is now on engaging with neighbouring countries like Ghana, Benin, and Cote d’Ivoire to maintain a presence in the region. These countries are facing increasing violence from armed groups, making them potential partners for the US. However, anti-West sentiment and challenges in coordinating operations may complicate efforts to establish new bases and conduct surveillance missions in the Sahel region.
