Bundeswehr moves out of Niger: End of an eight -year engagement

Bundeswehr moves out of Niger: End of an eight -year engagement

The Bundeswehr has now officially hired its commitment in the Niger, which marks the end of an era in a geopolitical sensitive part of West Africa. Last Friday evening, a military aircraft with 60 German soldiers landed on the air base in Wunstorf in Lower Saxony. It was the last flight permit from a series of returns that initiated the withdrawal from the air transport base in Niamey. At the same time, German material was brought back from the Niger on another A400m transport aircraft.

The base in Niamey played a central role as a logistical hub for UN Peace Use Minusma in Mali, which was discontinued at the end of 2023 at the urging of the military government there. During the period of operation, a total of around 3,200 German soldiers were stationed in the Nigrical capital to meet the military and logistical requirements.

The context of the withdrawal

Despite the important role that the Niger played as a partner against terrorism in the Sahelose, the political situation in the region has changed drastically. For a long time, Niger was the last reliable partner for Europe and the USA. But last year the military took control, which significantly shaken the basics of cooperation. The Ministry of Defense had already announced in July this year that the last German base in West Africa would be given up, since no agreement with the current military government could be achieved by continuing the military presence.

The deduction was strategically necessary, since the Niger increasingly does a realignment towards Russia. These changes in the geopolitical orientation are significant because Russian military personnel, officially as instructors, has been stationed in Niamey for several months. The former support from western nations has decreased to different degrees when many of these partners left the region.

In addition, it is pointed out that the Bundeswehr had temporarily set up another air transport base in Senegal, whose operation has now also been discontinued. Talks between Germany and Senegal are currently underway to check the future use of this location without German soldiers. It could be about keeping the necessary material ready to maintain the strategic presence of the Bundeswehr in the region.

The closure of this basis not only symbolizes the withdrawal of German troops, but also the dwindling influence of western powers in a region that is increasingly influenced by Russian security interests. The transition of the Niger to this new geopolitical course could have a significant impact on future security strategies in West Africa.