In a significant development, Germany’s defense ministry announced on Saturday that it will end its military operations at the airbase in Niger by August 31, following the breakdown of talks with the West African country’s ruling junta. This decision comes amidst Niger’s shift away from Western alliance towards countries like Russia and Iran since the coup d’etat that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
The German soldiers stationed at the airbase will be withdrawn by August 31, marking an end to Germany’s military cooperation with Niger. This latest move signifies a significant shift in Niger’s diplomatic stance towards the West, especially after it expelled France’s military forces earlier this year.
Similar changes have been observed in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also governed by military rulers and face violence from extremist groups. In May, Germany and Niger had reached an interim agreement allowing the Bundeswehr to continue operating the air transport base in the capital Niamey until August 31. However, negotiations to extend that agreement broke down as the base’s personnel would no longer enjoy immunity from prosecution.
The German defense ministry also noted that only 38 Bundeswehr soldiers were stationed at the base recently, alongside 33 employees from German and foreign companies. The airbase had been utilized for evacuating German nationals in Africa. However, with the latest developments, it appears that Germany’s presence and influence in Niger will soon come to an end as the country increasingly aligns itself with Russia and Iran.