A report published by the American newspaper “The Hill” described the “expulsion from Niger as a major setback for the US military” in the African Sahel region.
According to the newspaper, this “will jeopardize US counterterrorism operations, increase Russian influence in Africa and fragment Western relations on the continent.”
The newspaper claimed that the withdrawal of US troops “jeopardizes the containment of the United States ISIS, Boko Haram and other insurgents.”
“Western powers such as the United States and the European Union seem to be losing the battle for the Sahel.”
She also noted that in addition to Niger, Russia has “close security relations and agreements with Mali and Burkina Faso,” as well as Libya and the Central African Republic.
In March, Niger terminated a military agreement with the United States, under which a U.S. drone base was established in the north of the African country.
Niger’s military authorities said the deal was imposed on the country and did not meet the interests of the people.
On April 22, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder confirmed that the United States had begun consultations with Niger on withdrawing its troops.
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