In a significant development, the United States is engaging in discussions with Niger to bring an end to over a decade-long military presence in the West African nation. The decision to withdraw American troops was confirmed by Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder during a press briefing on Tuesday.

Although a timeline for the withdrawal has not been announced yet, the discussions between the two countries have commenced. A small delegation from the Pentagon and U.S. Africa Command will participate in these discussions, ensuring an orderly withdrawal process. However, the United States reiterated its commitment to collaborating with nations in the region to combat terrorist threats.

The presence of more than 1,000 American military personnel stationed at a drone base in the Sahara desert near Agadez in Niger will be affected by this decision. Citizens expressed their discontent with the U.S. military presence through street protests that circulated on social media over the weekend.

Niger's ruling military junta, which took power in July 2023, immediately revoked a military cooperation deal with the U.S. last month. Contentious meetings in the Nigerian capital, Niamey, between high-level officials from both nations led to this decision. The U.S. Department of Defense highlighted its concerns over Niger's potential relationships with Russia and Iran, as well as the status of American forces in the country.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, spokesperson for Niger's junta, strongly criticized the "condescending attitude" and perceived threats from the American delegation. Abdramane accused the U.S. of denying the sovereign Nigerien people the right to choose their own partners in the fight against terrorism. These events take place just months after France, Niger's former colonizer, withdrew its troops from the country, responding to the junta's demands.

As Niger moves to sever its ties with Western allies, including the U.S. and France, the country and others in the region are increasingly turning to Russia for security support. In recent weeks, Niger welcomed the arrival of around 100 officers from Russia's newly established African Corps. These officers, believed to be from the rebranded Wagner Group, are under direct supervision of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Their stated objective is to strengthen military cooperation and train Nigerien military personnel.

During his testimony before Congress earlier this month, Gen. Michael Langley, commander of the U.S. African Command, raised concerns about Russia's growing influence in the Sahel. He warned that several countries in the region were approaching a tipping point of falling under the Russian Federation's influence. In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reassured on Wednesday that Russia remains committed to helping African countries strengthen their sovereignty and security.

The withdrawal of American troops from Niger and the increasing Russian presence in the region mark a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of Africa's arid Sahel region. The consequences of these changes will shape the security dynamics in the area, and it remains to be seen how Niger and other countries will navigate this evolving situation.