Copyright 2024 Patriot Mom Digest
Two significant diplomatic backsteps occurred for the Biden administration in Africa as U.S. forces were asked to leave Niger and Chad, affecting the region's counter-terrorism efforts.
Breitbart reported that the Biden administration has seen major diplomatic setbacks in Africa with U.S. forces expelled from both Niger and Chad. The White House has attempted to hide these humiliating defeats and thanks to the other major crises gripping the nation, this situation has gone largely unnoticed by the public.
The situation began unfolding when, last Friday, the Biden administration announced the exit of over a thousand U.S. military personnel from Niger. This move came after a coup in July 2023 that displaced Niger's civilian government and installed Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani as the new leader.
Following the coup, Western powers and the Economic Community of West African States ostracized the new regime, initially imposing sanctions. These sanctions were, however, lifted in February 2024 due to humanitarian concerns, despite the junta allying with Burkina Faso and Mali – both also under military rule.
Niger's shifting diplomatic stance became evident as relations with Western nations deteriorated. The junta turned to Russia, China, and Iran, seeking new alliances. Following this realignment, Niger signed a significant $400 million oil deal with China's CNPC and welcomed Russian troops armed with anti-aircraft weapons.
In a further distancing from its previous partners, the Nigerien junta in March declared U.S. security arrangements established by the prior government "illegal." This declaration was a sharp pivot away from Western influence towards Eastern partnerships.
The attempt by the Biden administration to engage with the new government in Niger was met with cold shoulders as a planned diplomatic mission in March failed to secure a meeting with Gen. Tchiani, showing a clear disregard for U.S. concerns.
Rumors of an undeclared deal surfaced concerning Niger and Iran, focusing on uranium transactions, which reportedly concluded during a visit by Niger’s junta-appointed Prime Minister to Tehran in January. This further complicated the geopolitical dynamics in the region.
In response to the burgeoning alliances and internal military control, a U.S. Air Force whistleblower voiced out against the Biden administration, accusing it of negligence concerning the safety of U.S. troops stationed in Niger.
The discord mirrored in Chad where, on Thursday, about 75 U.S. Special Forces operators were evicted. Chadian military’s chief of staff, Gen. Amine Idriss, threatened to terminate Chad’s Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the U.S., directly impacting the Special Operations Task Force operating there.
Despite these developments, the Pentagon remains hopeful that security cooperation with Chad can be resumed after the upcoming presidential elections on May 6. They predict that once the political landscape stabilizes, normal relations will likely be restored.
During a visit by Gen. Michael E. Langley, head of U.S. Africa Command, in January, efforts to reinforce partnerships with Chad were emphasized. The command acknowledged Chad as a crucial ally in tackling regional security challenges and combating violent extremism in the Sahel.
General Langley’s discussions during his visit centered on the ongoing security challenges and Chadian efforts to counteract violent extremism, reflecting a consistent effort to strengthen military and strategic ties despite the current political hurdles.
To conclude, the recent developments in Niger and Chad represent significant challenges for U.S. diplomacy and military strategy in Africa. The expulsions underscore the complex interplay of internal political dynamics, regional alliances, and global power shifts impacting U.S. interests.
The situation remains fluid, and the outcomes of impending elections and diplomatic engagements could dictate the future trajectory of U.S. involvement and its ability to influence stability and counter-terrorism efforts in the Sahel region.