The planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from bases in Niger and Chad, along with the potential redeployment to other West African nations, will be significant topics during discussions among top U.S. military officials at a chief of defense conference this week.
General CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Botswana on Monday amid a pivotal moment for U.S. strategy in Africa. Recent developments have seen military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger prompt reassessments of their relationships with the U.S. and Western nations, with some turning to Russian-linked mercenaries for security support.
Brown, speaking to reporters en route to Gaborone, mentioned that as the U.S. withdraws its 1,000 troops from Niger, including from a critical counterterrorism and drone base, other West African countries are interested in collaborating with the U.S. and potentially hosting expanded American presence.
He emphasized that the conference provides an opportunity to engage with numerous African counterparts, understand their priorities and concerns, and explore possibilities for enhancing relationships.
“There are other countries in the region where we already maintain limited presence or partnerships,” Brown noted. “We are considering how to strengthen these relationships, which could offer alternatives for deploying capabilities similar to those we had in Niger.”
Brown stressed the importance of dialogue with these nations to determine the type and scale of U.S. military presence they desire. “This conference is crucial for that reason,” he added.
According to Brown and other defense officials, the conference aims to demonstrate to African leaders that the U.S. is receptive to local perspectives and solutions. A defense official, speaking anonymously about military relations, highlighted that the Botswana meeting represents an opportunity to cultivate military ties across the continent.
The reduction of troops at strategic bases in Africa’s Sahel region raises concerns about effectively combating the escalating violence perpetrated by extremist groups, including those affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
The defense official expressed U.S. concerns about the proliferation of extremist activities from various groups, particularly in coastal West Africa.
Following the ousting of Niger’s democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers last July, the junta ordered U.S. and French forces to leave, turning to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security support. Washington formally labeled this military takeover a coup in October, triggering U.S. laws that restrict military assistance and aid. The repercussions were significant, compelling U.S. troops to vacate the crucial drone base at Agadez, essential for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel.
According to the senior defense official, approximately 30% of the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Niger has been completed, with full completion slated for September 15, adhering to established timelines. The official noted that the pace of troop withdrawal will fluctuate as it depends on the removal of weapons systems and equipment. Currently, about 600 troops remain deployed there.
Shortly thereafter, Chad directed U.S. forces to leave Adji Kossei Air Base near N’Djamena. Around 75 U.S. Army special forces were relocated to Europe, leaving approximately 20 troops in the country, alongside Marine security forces assigned to the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. has characterized these troop reductions in Chad as temporary, pending the conclusion of the recent presidential election there. General Brown affirmed that the U.S. will collaborate with embassy leadership in Chad to determine future American presence.
Some African nations have voiced frustration with the U.S. for what they perceive as imposing issues like democracy and human rights, which many view as hypocritical given Washington’s close relationships with certain autocratic leaders elsewhere. In contrast, Russia offers security assistance without intervening in politics, making it an attractive partner for military juntas that have seized power in countries such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso in recent years.
Mvemba Dizolele, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., emphasized that a critical aspect of U.S. discussions with African leaders is recognizing that America needs to adjust its expectations and demands of these governments and their armed forces.
“Dizolele stated, ‘U.S. security and defense policymakers should not approach Africa expecting every African military officer to align perfectly with American values,'” noting the realism in the situation. He pointed out that various obstacles, such as the Leahy Law prohibiting military assistance to foreign forces implicated in human rights abuses, and congressional budgetary constraints limiting aid to countries with overthrown leadership due to coups, often hinder U.S. engagement with certain African nations.
Conversely, Dizolele highlighted that other nations like Russia and China are ready to supply military aid and equipment that African countries can afford to purchase.