US to withdraw troops from Chad in wake of Niger exit

The United States will pull dozens of special forces soldiers from Chad, days after announcing it would also withdraw troops from neighbouring Niger.

The double withdrawal from a region plagued by militants comes amid concern that the West is ceding influence to Russia and China across Africa.

The decision to pull out about 75 soldiers working in N’Djamena, Chad’s capital, followed the White House announcement it would withdraw more than 1,000 personnel from Niger.

Both countries have been key partners in Pentagon efforts to counter jihadist terrorist groups across the Sahel region.

Last month, Niger’s ruling junta ended an agreement allowing US troops to operate.

In recent days, Chad also has questioned whether an existing agreement covered the troops operating there.

Maj Gen Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, stressed the withdrawal from Chad was considered temporary and some of the troops had been due to depart. Negotiations for soldiers to remain would continue after the forthcoming elections, he said.

He said: “This is a temporary step as part of the ongoing review of our security co-operation, which will resume after Chad’s May 6th presidential election.”

Chad has played a growing role in Western security strategy in the region since neighbouring Niger kicked out French troops after its junta seized power in a coup last year.

Similar coups in Mali and Burkina Faso have also seen the withdrawal of Western forces.

Earlier this month, Russian military instructors arrived to reinforce Niger’s country’s air defences. They brought Russian equipment, which they said they would train Nigeriens to use.

Niger has been home to a major US air base in Agadez, which is used for manned and drone flights and other operations.

The US has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Niger’s military since beginning operations there in 2013.