'U.S. Withdrawal From Niger Signals Shift in Western Influence'

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger would not only be a disaster for its counter-terrorism initiatives in the region but would also hinder its efforts to counter the rise of Russia and China, who are striving to expand their influence in the Sahel and across the continent, writes Abigail Kabandula, Director of the Africa Center at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.
She argues that U.S. influence in Africa has been waning over the years, "hitting a low during the Trump administration".
However, she said there had been some improvement during the Biden administration, "although the United States still trails behind China.. while Russia has also been gaining ground, primarily through the Wagner Group".