Washington will “study all measures” concerning its military presence, following the French withdrawal

Washington will “study all future measures” concerning its military presence in Niger, declared Monday, September 25, the American Secretary of Defense, after France’s announcement of the withdrawal of its troops from the country by the end of the year. The United States has some 1,100 soldiers stationed in Niger, engaged against jihadist groups active in this region.

“While giving diplomacy a chance, we will also continue to study all future measures that will prioritize both our diplomatic and security objectives”, declared the American secretary. The Pentagon announced on September 7 to reposition its troops “as a precaution”transferring some soldiers from a base in the capital Niamey to an air base further north.

Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday the return to Paris of the French ambassador to Niamey and the withdrawal from Niger of the 1,500 French troops based in the country. “We are ending our military cooperation with the de facto authorities of Niger, because they no longer want to fight terrorism”declared the French president.