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00:00The last planes leave Agadez Airbase.
00:04After about 800 American troops left in early July, just 200 remained on Nigerian soil.
00:10It brings to an end their presence in the country at the demand of Niger's new military
00:15rulers who are determined to open a new chapter in relations with Washington.
00:20This withdrawal does not mean the end of military cooperation between Niger and the US.
00:28In fact, both parties are now committed to maintaining contact and working together to
00:33define the foundations of a new military cooperation.
00:40The troops' withdrawal follows those of French soldiers in December last year.
00:45France and the US have both been collaborating with Niger in the fight against jihadist groups
00:50in the Sahel region.
00:52But ever since the coup d'etat that overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum in July last year,
00:56the Nigerian junta has revised its alliances.
01:00It has distanced itself from western countries and moved closer to its neighbours Mali and
01:05Burkina Faso, each also ruled by military governments, and formed a confederation, the
01:10Alliance of Sahel States.
01:12Niger is also collaborating with Russia, which has sent military instructors and material.
01:17They are allies in the fight against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic
01:20State group.
01:22According to the NGO Akhlet, around 1,500 civilians and soldiers have died in attacks
01:27in the past year, up from 650 between July 2022 and July 2023.