MAY 20, 2024 – Niger and the United States have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of American troops from the West African country, a process that has already begun and will be finished by Sept. 15, they said in a joint statement.
Representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger met from May 15 to 19, 2024, in Niamey, Republic of Niger, as part of a Joint Disengagement Commission, to coordinate the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger.
These discussions between the militaries were conducted in complete transparency and with perfect mutual respect between the two parties.
The U.S. Department of Defense delegation was led by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, Mr. Christopher Maier; and the Director of Joint Force Development in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lieutenant General Dagvin Anderson.
The delegation of the Ministry of National Defense of Niger was led by the Chief of Staff of the Army, Colonel-Major Mamane Sani Kiaou.
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Ministry of National Defense of Niger have reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which has already begun.
It is therefore agreed that this disengagement will end no later than September 15, 2024.
Both delegations confirmed the guarantees of protection and security to the American forces during their withdrawal.
The delegations also established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of U.S. personnel, including overflight and landing clearances for military flights.
The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense recall the joint sacrifices of Nigerien and U.S. forces in the fight against terrorism and commend each other’s efforts to build up the Nigerien Armed Forces.
The Parties undertake to continue cooperation in areas of common interest.
The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger does not affect the continuation of U.S.-Niger development relations.
The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations.