US Army Ends the Withdrawal from Niger
The withdrawal, completed one month after the first departure of US Army military aircraft. of this base in the Nigerien capital, ended with a ceremony between US and Nigerien military personnel,
The United States Army ended on Sunday the process of withdrawal of more than 1,000 soldiers from the combat troops the country had at Air Base 101 in Niamey, after last March the military junta of Niger revoked the military cooperation agreement between the two countries, signed in 2012.
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The withdrawal, completed one month after the first departure of US Army military aircraft. of this base in the Nigerien capital, ended with a ceremony between US and Nigerien military personnel, as explained in a statement Monday by the United States Air Forces.
“We value the last 15 years of cooperation on security and sacrifice shared by the United States and Niger forces,” said Kenneth P. Ekman, director of strategy, participation and programs at the United States Africa Command.
General Ekman thanked the “Nigerien hosts” for their support in securing a safe retreat, while saying that the “next chapter” of the bilateral security relationship with Niger is yet to be defined.
“This operation was completed ahead of schedule and without complications,” the African Defense Ministry and the US Department of Defense said.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger signed last Saturday a treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahelian States (ESC) that will act away from foreign influence.