THE United States is moving some of its troops from Niger’s capital, Niamey, to the Agadez Area.
This comes in the wake of a July coup in Niger, where military officers seized government control.
Around 1,100 US military personnel are stationed in Niger, primarily on bases, with joint training activities scaled back since the coup.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh clarified that there is no immediate threat to US personnel in Niger, and this move is a precaution.
A small group of personnel will remain at Air Base 101 in Niamey.
The Pentagon press secretary also noted that some non-essential personnel and contractors had already left the country.
Niger has been a key base for the region’s French and American anti-militant operations.
The US action is unrelated to ongoing talks between Niger and France about withdrawing certain French military elements. French forces have faced calls from Niger to reduce their presence.
In July, Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown by his own guards and detained by coup leaders, sparking condemnation from the West African Bloc ECOWAS, which threatened the use of force to restore civilian rule.
Similar military takeovers have occurred in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, and the current leaders of these two countries, are allies of Niger’s junta military.
In fact, last August, the Niger military authorized the armies of Burkina Faso and Mali to intervene in the event of aggression.
