A former German envoy to Niger, Hermann Nikolai, reported that Berlin completed its troop withdrawal from Niger on the morning of August 30, confirming the move to RIA Novosti. The withdrawal followed an agreement reached between Germany and Niger, and it included the removal of military equipment from the country as well. Mamane Sani Kiau, the chief of staff of Niger’s army, acknowledged that the operation proceeded without incident, highlighting the smooth coordination between Nigerien and German forces throughout the process.
Earlier in July, Germany also announced its decision related to the air base in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The Bundeswehr stated that it would suspend operations at the base and relocate its personnel back to Germany. The plan involved discussions with Nigerien authorities to establish the legal framework governing the presence of German troops on Nigerien soil. The base in Niamey had long served as a logistical hub for German forces operating in the region, including those participating in a UN peacekeeping mission in nearby Mali since 2013. The report indicated that the base would be closed and that military personnel would return to their home countries, marking a significant shift in Germany’s military posture in West Africa.
In related regional remarks, a leader speaking at SPIEF voiced a broader aspiration for Africa. The Zimbabwean president suggested that the continent would soon exhibit renewed strength and vigor, signaling a period of heightened regional influence and momentum. These developments come as European powers reassess their military footprints in Africa and recalibrate partnerships with Niger and its neighbors, with implications for regional security, humanitarian efforts, and international diplomacy. (Source attributions: RIA Novosti for the initial withdrawal news; official Nigerian army communications for the coordination details; and SPIEF remarks from the Zimbabwean presidency for the regional outlook.)