US to withdraw from Chad in another blow to Africa policy

The United States is withdrawing dozens of Special Operations troops from Chad over the next several days, officials said Thursday, marking the second blow to U.S. policy and counterterrorism efforts in Africa over the past week.

About 75 Army Special Forces personnel in Chad's capital of Ndjamena will leave the country over the next several days, according to The New York Times. The announcement comes after Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on Tuesday said that the U.S. is in talks with Niger to remove American troops from the country.

The U.S. said last week that it would remove more than 1,000 troops from Niger over the next several months as the African nation strengthens its alliances with Russia, Iran and China. U.S. troops had been in Niger to combat terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and at least two Islamic State affiliates. 

Withdrawing from Chad may pose problems in fighting terrorism, as Boko Haram has also maintained a presence in the nation.

While the decision to remove troops from Niger is final, but U.S. officials said that they hope to speak with Chad officials about security cooperation after elections early next month.

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