Washington will “consider all future steps” regarding its military presence in Niger, following France’s announcement that it will withdraw its troops from the country by the end of the year, the US Secretary of Defense said on Monday, AFP reports.
“While giving diplomacy a chance, we will also continue to explore all future steps that will prioritize both our diplomatic and security objectives,” Lloyd Austin told a press conference in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, where he is visiting.
President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday the return to Paris of the French ambassador in Niamey and the withdrawal from Niger of the 1,500 French troops based in the country.
We are ending our military cooperation with the de facto authorities in Niger, because they no longer want to fight terrorism,” said the French president.
The United States has some 1,100 troops stationed in Niger, engaged against jihadist groups active in the region.
“We have not made any significant changes to the positioning of our forces and (…) we really want a diplomatic solution, a peaceful outcome”, assured the US Secretary of Defense, who refused to comment on Paris’ decision.
Peoplesmind
