US troops leave Niger base at Niamey
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00:00Passing down the torch, Colonel Maman Sanikiau and his men were given a final tour of the
00:05facilities as US troops completed their withdrawal from Niamey Air Base 101 on Monday.
00:13This operation was completed ahead of schedule and without any complications.
00:19US forces will now focus on their withdrawal from Agadez Air Base 201.
00:27It was the culmination of a process that began two months ago, when Niger scrapped
00:31its military cooperation agreement with the US.
00:35Last year, French troops were the first to leave the country, as Niger's military
00:39government sought to deeply reform its foreign policy and assert its national sovereignty.
00:45Since seizing power last year, the Junta has distanced itself from its traditional Western
00:50allies, echoing similar initiatives by neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso.
00:56On Saturday, the three countries officially announced their departure from regional bloc
01:00ECOWAS.
01:01Despite repeated warnings, the move could further destabilise an already volatile region.
01:07The withdrawal of these three countries will be a major blow to security cooperation, particularly
01:16in terms of intelligence sharing and participation in the fight against terrorism."
01:24Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso also confirmed the creation of a new confederation, the Alliance
01:30of Sahel States, which they say will help combat jihadist groups operating inside their
01:36borders.