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US to withdraw troops from Niger by September

Washington intends to maintain its diplomatic presence at the embassy in Niamey to salvage its foothold of influence in the Sahel as well as limit Russia's military inroads in Africa.

Protesters react as a man holds up a sign demanding that soldiers from the United States Army leave Niger without negotiation during a demonstration in Niamey, on April 13, 2024. Thousands of people demonstrated on April 13, 2024 in Niger's capital Niamey to demand the immediate departure of American soldiers based in northern Niger, after the military regime said it was withdrawing from a 2012 cooperation deal with Washington. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon confirms talks to withdraw US troops from Niger

Washington failed to reach a compromise with junta leaders in Niamey, as Russia continues to make gains across the Sahel.

The last French soldiers board a French military plane to leave Niger for good, at the French base which was handed over to the Nigerien army, in Niamey on December 22, 2023. The last French troops withdrew from Niger on December 22, 2023, marking an end to more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in west Africa's Sahel region, AFP saw and Niger's military announced. The French exit from Niger leaves hundreds of US military personnel, and a number of Italian and German troops, remaining in the

What Niger-US rupture says about Russia and West's shaky future in Sahel

Niger’s decision to suspend military cooperation with the United States follows rising anti-Western sentiment in the region.

A French soldier of the operation Barkhane, an anti-terrorist mission in Sahel, patrols as a tiger helicopter operates a tactical flight on March 12, 2016 in Mali. France's Barkhane counter-terror mission comprises at least 3,500 soldiers deployed across five countries (Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad and Burkina Faso) with a mandate to combat jihadist insurgencies in the region.

US aims to keep troops in Niger despite junta decision on ending counterterrorism ties

Niger’s ruling military junta announced Saturday it was cutting ties with US special operations forces, threatening to undermine a key point of US influence as Russia expands its military foothold across Central Africa.

Latest News

2023 in review: From Sudan to Syria, here are Mideast's forgotten conflicts

Smoke plumes billow from a fire at a lumber warehouse in southern Khartoum amidst ongoing fighting on June 7, 2023. Eight weeks of fighting have pitted Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo -- commonly known as Hemeti -- who commands the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A number of broken ceasefires have offered brief lulls but no respite for residents of Khartoum, where witnesses again reported "the sound of heavy artillery fire" in the ca

What failure of Nile dam talks means for Egypt and Ethiopia

Third Nile Cataract, Sudan, 29 Dec. 29, 2022.

Breaking

Last Updated: December 6, 2023, 4:28 pm

US says Sudanese armed forces, RSF rebels committed war crimes

This image grab taken from AFPTV video footage on April 20, 2023, shows an aerial view of black smoke rising above the Khartoum International Airport amid ongoing battles between the forces of two rival generals.

Senior US official welcomes pressure on UAE over alleged Sudan arms transfers

TOPSHOT - A man stands by as a fire rages in a livestock market area in al-Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, on September 1, 2023, in the aftermath of bombardment by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict between Sudan's army under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the RSF commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo spread in late August 2023 to North Darfur state, with at least 27 localities burned down by the RSF and allied Arab militias, according to the Humanitarian Research L

A tourist swims in a swimming pool at a hotel in Tunisia's resort town of Hammamet, about 66 kilometres south of the capital Tunis, on October 7, 2021. - The October sun warms the sands of Hammamet beach on the Tunisian coast, but the coronavirus pandemic still casts a shadow, and visitors are few on the ground. After two ruined seasons in a row, operators in Tunisia are licking their wounds and hoping the lifting of travel restrictions will spell better days. (Photo by ANIS MILI / AFP) (Photo by ANIS MILI/

North African tourism hinges on stability in Europe and at home in 2023

PRO: Will tourism revenues make a comeback in North Africa in 2023? Here's what we're expecting. (access with one-week free trial)

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP via Getty Images

Why Tunisian InstaDeep’s $682m exit may not mark Maghreb's turning point

While mega exits have historically upturned ecosystems across the world, Tunisia and the Maghreb region contain hurdles that make such shifts less likely.

Greek coastguard rescuers recover a body from the sea off the island of Kythira, at the southern end of the Peloponnese Peninsula on October 9, 2022. (Photo by SAVVAS KARMANIOLAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Even after the 'visa war,' the bad and the ugly lingers between EU, Global South

Continuing immigration pressures complicate relations for both aging Europe and the nations to the south and east with booming populations.

The Tunisian Court of First Instance is shown with barriers erected, Tunis, Tunisia, Feb. 20, 2022.

Tunisia jails all-women jihadist group

Tunisian authorities jailed a group of women believed to have plotted to assassinate a former minister.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

CIA director Bill Burns arrives in Libya on surprise visit

Burns visit is most senior for a US official to Libya since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

Vehicles of forces loyal to Tripoli-based Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah are parked along the waterfront, hours after forces of the rival Tobruk-based government withdrew following heavy fighting between opposing militiasTripoli, Libya, May 17, 2022.

Libya rivals agree to pursue 'constitutional base' for settlement

Algeria's Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab attends the opening session of the 24th ministerial meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), in the Capital Cairo on October 25, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria, Sonatrach banking on high energy prices for 2023

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

An aerial view shows the town of Ghadames, a desert oasis some 400 miles southwest of the capital Tripoli, Libya, Oct. 19, 2021.

Oil pollution threatens Libyan oases

The populated areas near the oil fields in northeast Libya are suffering from pollution resulting from oil-related operations, in the absence of any action from authorities.

Morocco's sole oil refinery in Mohammedia, near Casablanca, on June 22, 2019. - Three years after it was liquidated for racking up billions of euros worth of debt, Morocco's sole oil refinery and one-time economic flagship is struggling to attract a buyer and survive. A self-declared "national front" -- comprising employees, economists and union leaders -- is leading the charge to salvage refining company SAMIR, while a trade court desperately seeks a new owner. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo credit should read

Morocco, Tunisia to face bloated energy costs over 2023-2024

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

French foreign minister in Morocco ahead of Macron visit

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is in Rabat to prepare for next month's visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Morocco fans look on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semi final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Breaking | Last Updated: December 15, 2022, 10:00 pm

Morocco loses to France, exits World Cup after heroic performance

Morocco became the first Arabic-speaking and African nation ever to reach the World Cup semifinals and has won over millions of fans across the world.

US President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with African Union President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi as French President Emmanuel Macron (2nd R) and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen look on at the start of the G-20 Summit, Rome, Italy, Oct. 30, 2021.

Biden rebooting relations with Africa at summit, ahead of 2023 visit

Countries in the region have received little attention from US officials in the run-up to the meeting, as Washington neglected the continent and is lagging in its influence compared to Russia and China.