In a win for Russia and an embarrassment to the Biden government, the U.S. military is hurriedly withdrawing over 1,000 deployed personnel from Niger. With more than $1 billion spent over a decade, the withdrawal represents another major failure for President Joe Biden and his “national security” team.
The region’s instability, amplified by alliances of local militias with international terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS, poses a significant risk to peace and counterterrorism efforts. The decision of the U.S. departure follows Niger’s recent military coup and the subsequent refusal of the nation’s leaders to cooperate with U.S. discussions regarding governance.
The African nation is instead moving towards partnerships with countries traditionally considered U.S. adversaries, focusing on Russia for security services and Iran for uranium reserve deals. In August 2023, the head of Russia’s Wagner Group mercenaries was seen in the country after its leaders requested Russian assistance.
Gen. Michael Langley, head of the U.S. military’s Africa Command, warned Congress in March about the risk of countries like Niger aligning with the Kremlin. His trip to Niger to meet with the country’s junta leadership proved futile as the nation’s joint military collaboration with the U.S. was suspended shortly afterward.
Last week, a Russian transport plane, reportedly carrying 100 Russian military trainers and a new air defense system, arrived in Niger’s capital. Russia is expanding its influence in several African countries once seen as critical to U.S. interests in the region. In March, Russia expanded a former Wagner Group base in Mali, and the Kremlin has stepped up recruitment efforts for Russia’s Africa Corps.
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