Withdrawal from the Sahel - Germany to give up air transport base in Niger
The Bundeswehr will give up its air transport support base in Niger in West Africa. The consequence of failed negotiations over legal immunity for German soldiers is the closure of the base in Niamey by August 31st, and the soldiers will be relocated back to Germany, the Defense Ministry informed the leaders of the Bundestag on Saturday. In light of the recent developments, the German government has reassessed the cooperation with Niger.
"The draft agreement provided by Niger cannot serve as a basis for negotiations on a status agreement – neither in terms of character nor content," the ministry wrote. "Immunity for German soldiers and soldiers is not granted in it. At the same time, we lack the time for the negotiation of a new status agreement – the positions are too far apart."
Given the unacceptable draft agreement, the negotiations on a status agreement have been suspended, and the military cooperation and capacity-building projects jointly managed by the Defense Ministry and the Foreign Office "will no longer be pursued further."
The base serves as a logistical hub for the terminated UN mission Minusma in Mali. As a transfer point for material and personnel, the base continues to offer operational options in the strategically important region, such as evacuation operations and emergency situations. It also demonstrates military presence from Germany. Russia is increasingly militarily active in the region.
On July 26, 2021, the military took power in Niger. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) had argued for continuing cooperation with the putschists in a limited capacity and under conditions. For a long time, Niger was considered the last democratic partner of Europe and the USA in the Sahel region in the fight against terrorism. In the region, Islamist terrorist militias have been spreading since years, which are close to Al-Qaeda and IS.
- The Federal Government of Germany has decided to end its air transport support in the Sahel zone, specifically in Niger, due to the failure of negotiations over legal immunity for German soldiers.
- The closure of the Bundeswehr base in Niamey by August 31st was communicated to the leaders of the Bundestag by the Defense Ministry.
- The German Press Agency reported that the German Armed Forces will be relocated back to Germany following the closure of the base.
- The Defense Ministry suspended negotiations on a status agreement with Niger due to an unacceptable draft agreement, which does not grant immunity to German soldiers.
- In Berlin, officials have reassessed cooperation with Niger in light of the recent developments and the suspension of negotiations.
- Russia's military activity in the strategically important region of the Sahel zone has been a significant factor in Germany's reassessment of its relations with Niger.
