U.S. and Niger resolve military standoff, with US troops will depart from Niger by September 15

May 20 , Niamey (Niger):
The US Defence Department and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defence confirmed to CNN that the two countries have agreed to remove American troops from Niger by September 15. The United States now has four months to remove the less than 1,000 personnel and their equipment—including the MQ-9 Reaper drones and other assets—from the nation according to the newly agreed timeline.

In March, the military administration of Niger made the announcement that it had terminated an agreement with the United States that had permitted the presence of military and civilian personnel from the Department of Defence in the country. In an effort to arrange the safe evacuation of US soldiers and obtain approvals for military flights, a US delegation met last week with the ruling military junta of Niger. The delicate discussions required to withdraw US forces hit a snag when it came to the flying clearances.

According to US sources, US troops who have departed Niger have been using commercial flights up until this point, including last week. Retaining US forces and equipment in Niger is the responsibility of the ground forces that are still present. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict Chris Meier led the US delegation. Colonel-Maj. Mamane Sani Kiaou, the Nigerian army chief of staff, reportedly led the Niger mission. This information was revealed by CNN.

The assurances of safety and security for the American forces during their withdrawal were reaffirmed by both delegations. According to the joint statement, the delegations also set up protocols to help US personnel enter and leave, including as obtaining overflight and landing clearances for military flights. As the Biden administration demanded a return to free and fair elections, the US withdrew its support, further highlighting the widening gap between the two countries in the aftermath of last July's coup. The military junta turned down the requests and instead focused on strengthening ties with Russia, whose troops are currently stationed at the same facility where US personnel are pulling out. There will be ongoing cooperation between the US and Niger in areas of "common interest." "The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations," according to the announcement.