German troops from Niger's final contingent touch down in Wunstorf.
Following the successful execution of a coup in Niger, the German Bundeswehr aimed to preserve its base within the nation, but negotiations with the Nigerian administration fell flat. Now, the operation has finally concluded: The final troops stationed there touched down in Germany during the evening hours.
After an eight-year tenure, the German Bundeswehr has wrapped up its mission in West African Niger and vacated its air transport center situated in the capital, Niamey. A military aircraft transporting the last German soldiers made its landing at the airbase in Wunstorf, Lower Saxony, during the evening hours.
The vacating of Niamey's air transport center has been completed. A joint statement, signed by Nigerian Colonel Major Mamane Sani Kiaou and German Colonel Karsten Struss, was released by both the Nigerian and German defense ministries, announcing the conclusion of the withdrawal of German personnel and equipment from Niger. According to Kiaou, 60 German Bundeswehr personnel and 146 metric tons of equipment were transported out of the country by five cargo planes.
Germany had previously agreed upon an interim agreement with Niger regarding the Niamey hub, as the previous bilateral agreement reached its expiration date on August 31. However, the latest proposal from the Nigerian government for a new agreement received scathing criticism from Berlin. A major cause of concern was the removal of the previous immunity from legal prosecution for stationed personnel.
Withdrawal Signifies a Setback
Although this withdrawal does not signify the conclusion of military collaboration between Niger and Germany, as both parties declared their continued commitment to preserving their military ties, the German defense ministry announced the termination of such collaboration in early July.
In July of the previous year, the Nigerien military orchestrated a coup against the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The wavering governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, plagued by poverty and instability, have recently shifted towards Russia for support. The Bundeswehr brought an end to its long-standing involvement in Mali last year. The loss of the base in Niger represents another major setback for Germany's impact in the Sahel region.
The German defense ministry officially terminated its military collaboration with Niger, following the criticism of the proposed new agreement. The joint statement from both nations announced the withdrawal of all German personnel and equipment from Niamey.
