Date of departure of US troops from Niger now known

The US and Niger authorities have agreed that US troops will leave the country no later than 15 September, they announced in a joint statement on Sunday.

The two countries had “reached a disengagement agreement to effect the withdrawal of U.S. forces, which has already begun”.

The statement commended the “joint sacrifices of Nigerien and U.S. forces in the fight against terrorism”, adding that the withdrawal would not affect the continuation of US-Niger relations.

“The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations,” it read.

The deal was reached after marathon talks between the two countries in Niamey.

In March, Niger announced the end of its military agreement with the US. Military spokesperson Col Amadou Abdramane accused the US of raising objections about the allies that Niger had chosen.

Col Abdramane condemned the US for its “condescending attitude” and “threat of reprisals”.