The decision, which comes amidst efforts to find a new military agreement, raises concerns for Washington and its allies in the fight against jihadi violence in the region.

According to the US State Department, the Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, and US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell have agreed to initiate the process of withdrawing American troops. However, no specific timeline has been announced, with talks scheduled to commence in the coming days to determine the next steps.

Niger plays a crucial role in US military operations in the Sahel, housing a major American air base in the city of Agadez. This base serves as a vital hub for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations aimed at countering the spread of jihadi violence. The US has invested considerable resources in training Niger's military since 2013, with hundreds of millions of dollars dedicated to this effort.

However, tensions between Niger and Western countries have escalated since the military junta ousted the country's democratically elected president in July. In a surprising turn of events, the junta requested French forces to leave and turned to Russia for security assistance. Russian military trainers have recently arrived in Niger to reinforce the country's air defenses and provide equipment training.

US officials had attempted to revise the military agreement with Niger to secure their continued presence, but the agreement between Prime Minister Zeine and Deputy Secretary Campbell suggests that these efforts have fallen short. The junta has expressed an inclination to exclude foreign forces from the country, including the United States, and has justified Russia's presence as a means to train Nigerien forces.

The withdrawal of US forces from Niger and the potential loss of access to the air bases are major setbacks for the US and its regional allies. The strategic location of Niger for security operations in the Sahel makes replacing this access challenging in the short term. Former US special envoy for the Sahel region, Peter Pham, even predicts a likely withdrawal of the remaining European Union military presence following the news of US departure.

The rupture in relations between Niger and the US is not only expected to impact security operations but also the development and humanitarian aid funds allocated to Niger. This is particularly significant for a country that ranks poorly in various indicators of well-being.

Despite the withdrawal, there remains a glimmer of hope for future collaboration. Local activist Insa Garba Saidou, who assists Niger's military rulers, has stated that negotiations could potentially pave the way for the return of American troops. It is evident that the ruling Niger junta, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, desires to maintain a positive working relationship with the US.

Moving forward, experts argue that the US should reconsider its counterterrorism cooperation model and adopt a new mode of engagement. Furthermore, they stress the importance of holding other states in the Sahel region accountable for human rights abuses and ensuring their commitment to the fight against extremism.

Although the withdrawal of US troops from Niger presents challenges, both nations have expressed a continued commitment to collaborating on areas of shared interest.