The US military is close to completing its withdrawal from Air Base 101 in Niger, according to Major General Kenneth Ekman of the US Air Force.
A farewell ceremony for the departure of the last C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft from the base near Niamey’s international airport is scheduled for Sunday.
Following the departure, the government of Niger will take control of the former US facilities, Ekman said in a video link interview with Reuters.
The current administration, which assumed power after deposing the pro-Western President Mohamed Bazoum a year ago, had set a deadline for the US to withdraw its nearly 1,000 troops by September 15.
Niger’s government cited the US’s failure to effectively combat jihadi militants in the Sahel region as the reason for the expulsion.
Amid the US withdrawal, Russian military instructors have already begun arriving at Air Base 101 to train Niger’s military.
Ekman reported that fewer than 100 Russian personnel are present, with plans for their departure once training is complete.
Next, the US will focus on vacating Air Base 201, a $100-million drone facility near Agadez. The withdrawal from this base is expected to conclude in August, ahead of schedule, Ekman added.
He noted that the morale of US troops at both bases is mixed, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the pullout.
The US is leaving the bases in good condition, only removing valuable equipment to preserve future options for both nations, Ekman emphasized.
He described the situation as “really unfortunate” for US-Niger relations, underlining the continued interconnection of their security objectives.
The new Niger government has also severed ties with its former colonial ruler, France, resulting in the departure of all French soldiers by the end of 2023.
Earlier this year, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is committed to aiding Sahel countries in enhancing their combat capabilities, security forces, and law enforcement agencies to strengthen regional security.
