German troops bid their farewell to Niger, concluding their military presence in the country.
Following the successful execution of a military coup in Niger, Germany's Bundeswehr had aimed to maintain its presence in the country. However, negotiations with the Nigerien government proved unsuccessful. Consequently, the mission has finally concluded: The last German troops stationed there touched down in Germany during the evening hours.
According to details shared by Niger, the German Defense Ministry and their Nigerien counterparts publicly announced the completion of the withdrawal of German troops and equipment from Niger. Deputy Commander in Chief, Nigerien Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, and German Colonel Karsten Struss signed off on this statement.
As reported by "Der Spiegel," the returning Bundeswehr soldiers are expected to arrive at their airbase in Lower Saxony, specifically Wunstorf, on Friday evening. Nonetheless, the German Defense Ministry initially refused to confirm this information. According to Kiaou, the German contingent consisted of 60 soldiers and 146 tons of equipment, which was conveyed back to Germany using five cargo planes.
Initially, Germany and Nigeria agreed upon an intermediate arrangement for the Niamey base once the previous deployment agreement expired. The agreement was set to last until August 31. Nevertheless, the recently presented Nigerien government's proposal for a new deployment agreement was deemed unsatisfactory in Berlin. A significant issue was the withdrawal of the immunity from prosecution for the stationed personnel, previously enjoyed by them.
Withdrawal does not signal an end
Despite the withdrawal, military cooperation between Niger and Germany is not coming to an end, with both sides committed to preserving their military relations, as stated by Kiaou. However, earlier in July, the German Defense Ministry had already declared an end to military cooperation.
In July of the previous year, the Nigerien military ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. Over the past few years, the governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, bogged down by poverty and instability, have been inching towards Russia and away from the West. The Bundeswehr had previously ended its extended involvement in Mali as well. Therefore, the loss of the base in Niger represents yet another setback for Germany's influence in the Sahel region.
The German Defense Ministry and their Nigerien counterparts jointly announced the completion of the withdrawal of German troops and equipment from Niger, following the signing of a statement by Deputy Commander in Chief, Nigerien Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, and German Colonel Karsten Struss.
Despite the withdrawal, The German Defense Ministry and the Nigerien government are both committed to preserving their military relations, as stated by Nigerien Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou, which implies that 'The Commission' between the two nations for military cooperation will continue to some extent.
