Niger fallout under Biden leaves US troops ‘blind’ in battle with terror groups

Biden administration's diplomatic dispute led to U.S. expulsion from Niger, eliminating drone surveillance capabilities needed to combat Sahel region terrorism.

Paul Tilsley is a veteran correspondent who has reported from four continents for more than three decades. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, he can be followed on X @paultilsley.

The U.S. had two airbases in Niger until September of last year. American surveillance drones operated from the bases, using high-tech cameras to peer through thick forest to locate terror groups, and were thought to be involved in locating another American Niger resident who was kidnapped in 2020, during the first Trump administration. Washington sent in Seal Team Six to successfully rescue that citizen.According to the military source, Niger wanted Washington to keep its Niger bases. But in March last year, Niger complained about the ‘condescending attitude’ of a U.S. delegation sent to Niger by the Biden administration, and ordered all American base personnel to leave.