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US Begins Talks to Withdraw Troops From Niger, Pentagon Says

In March, Niger decided to withdraw from a military agreement with Washington, which had allowed the latter to set up a drone base in the northern region of the country. The country's military authorities stated that the agreement was forced upon them and did not serve the interests of their people as reasons for their decision.
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The United States and Nigerien transitional government have begun talks on the withdrawal of American troops from the West African country, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

"In West Africa, Ryder confirmed that discussions began between Niger and the United States on the withdrawal of American troops from Niger," the Pentagon statement said.

Ryder noted that Washington had sent a small delegation of representatives from the Pentagon and US Africa Command to participate in the talks.
"In terms of departure timing, we are not going to speculate and get ahead of the discussion," he pointed out.
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The Pentagon added that the US military will continue its work to address the terrorism threat in the Sahel region.
Last week, thousands of Nigeriens took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, demanding the immediate withdrawal of US troops from the country. The rally participants carried Nigerien, Malian, and Russian flags.
Last month, Niger broke off a military agreement with the US, saying that the agreement had been imposed on the country and was not in the interests of the people.
Niger's Interior Ministry said that Washington promised to submit a plan for the "disengagement" of troops from the Western African country after Niamey ended its military pact with the US.