The withdrawal of US troops from Niger at the request of the West African country's transitional government has begun and will be completed no later than September 15, Niger's presidency said in a statement released to the media.
The decision was made during a meeting of the countries' defense authorities in Niamey on May 15-19 as part of the Joint Disengagement Commission, the presidency said.
"The Ministry of National Defense of Niger and the United States Department of Defense have reached a disengagement agreement to carry out the withdrawal of American forces, which has already begun. It is therefore agreed that this disengagement will end no later than September 15, 2024," the communique said.
The two delegations also confirmed the guarantees of protection and security for American forces during their withdrawal, according to Niamey. They also established procedures to facilitate the entry and exit of US personnel, including overflight and landing permissions for military flights.
The United States and Niger continue developing relations and cooperating in the areas of common interest, despite the fact the US forces are being withdrawn from the African country, the countries added in a statement.
"The withdrawal of US forces from Niger does not affect the continuation of US-Niger development relations. The United States and Niger are committed to ongoing diplomatic dialogue to define the future of their bilateral relations," the statement said.
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 transitional authorities stated that the agreement was forced upon them and did not serve the interests of their people as reasons for their decision.
In the West African country, thousands of Nigeriens took to the streets of the capital, Niamey, demanding the immediate withdrawal of US troops. Participants in the rally carried Nigerian, Malian and Russian flags.