US to complete withdrawal from Niger's Air Base 101 on Sunday

WASHINGTON - The US military is set to complete the withdrawal on Sunday of its personnel from Niger's Air Base 101 in the nation's capital and then shift its focus to exiting a major drone base in the coming weeks, a US general said on Friday.

Niger's military rulers have given the US until Sept 15 to remove its troops.

Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman, who is on the ground in Niger to coordinate the departure, said the US exit from Air Base 101 will be finalized with a ceremony. The base is located next to Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital Niamey.

"We will do a joint ceremony on that occasion that marks the departure of the last US C-17 (aircraft). The government of Niger will assume control of former US areas and facilities," Ekman said, speaking by video conference.

Agencies