The United States Agrees to Withdraw Its Troops from Niger

The United States has agreed to withdraw its troops from Niger, according to several U.S. officials who requested anonymity. During a meeting in Washington with Prime Minister Ali Amin Zein, who came to power following the coup in July, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell agreed to the request from Niger officials to withdraw the troops. The agreement stipulates that a U.S. delegation will be sent to Niger in the coming days to discuss the details of the withdrawal. The U.S. has more than a thousand soldiers stationed in Niger, based at a base in the north, participating in the fight against extremist groups. Thousands of people had protested in Niamey days earlier, demanding their immediate departure.