SANTA MONICA – After months of planning and preparation, the withdrawal of U.S. military troops from Niger is finally complete, the U.S. Department of Defense announced earlier today.
Over the past decade, Islamic militants have steadily gained power often causing mayhem and destruction across western Africa. During that time, the United States government committed millions of dollars and military personnel to stabilize the region.
The United States spent over $100 billion to build military bases in Niger, the American Military trained Niger armed forces in military tactics, planning, and how to use highly technical equipment, according to the New York Times.
After the Niger Military ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in 2023, relations between the United States and the Military Junta worsened. In March of this year, the military leadership called for an end to relations with Western countries including France and the United States.
For many years, Africa has become ground zero as local governments sought to establish control of their own resources and indoctrinate their people. Violence has erupted across the continent and has led to the global migrant crisis impacting Western countries who promote democracy and the associated ideas of improving the lives of all people.
As the search for minerals has increased globally, Russia and China have made inroads into the African continent. The former, by promising military aid and training, with the later by supplying money for much needed infrastructure. The UN, The U.S., and other Western invested heavily in Africa to combat Russian and Chinese hegemony.
In March, Reuters reported that the Niger Military Junta allowed Russian forces to occupy an airplane hangar on Airbase 101 alongside U.S. forces. While the Russian forces are there, they did not and are not now reportedly using U.S. Military equipment.
The U.S. Military left some of the military equipment on the ground at Airbase 201, despite their withdrawal earlier today. According to the U.S. Military, the equipment was left behind to show Niger that that the United States is still committed to a stable Africa.
Some referential content courtesy of The New York Times, Department of Defense, The Washington Post, Reuters, and Google Images.
