THE United States is sending Special Forces troops back to Chad, nearly five months after they left at the country’s request. This comes as part of renewed efforts to tackle the escalating militant threat in West Africa, particularly from Boko Haram and Islamic State factions in the Lake Chad region.
Major General Kenneth Ekman confirmed that a limited number of US personnel would be redeployed following an agreement with Chadian President Mahamat Déby. The decision was only recently communicated to US Africa Command (AFRICOM). “It was a presidential decision by President Déby, but now we’re working on the specifics of how we return,” Ekman told the VOA.
Scaling back operations
The US withdrew around 70 Special Forces personnel from Chad in April 2024, ahead of the country’s presidential election, which Déby ultimately won. Now, the US military is planning a smaller operation compared to the previous headquarters established in Chad. The Chadian military, with 11,000 troops, has been central to counterterrorism efforts in the region.
‘The direction from Chad is critically important,’ said Ekman, especially following the recent withdrawal of US forces from Niger, which concluded with Ekman’s departure from Niamey. ‘We now have to shift strategies and move from working “inside out” in the Sahel to “outside in.”’
A changing counterterror strategy in West Africa
With the recent coups in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, the US has faced increasing challenges in maintaining its military footprint in West Africa. Hundreds of US troops were stationed in these countries, providing counterterrorism support, intelligence, and training. However, US law prohibits military cooperation with governments that come to power through coups, limiting the country’s reach in key regions.
Now, nations such as Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, and Benin will play a central role in shaping the US counterterrorism strategy in West Africa. Some countries, like Ghana and Nigeria, have expressed reservations about hosting US forces. However, others are seeking increased US support as militant activity expands from the Sahel to coastal West Africa.
Before the coup in Niger, the US began upgrading an airfield in Benin to host military aircraft. Additionally, US Special Forces were recently moved to Cote d;Ivoire as part of efforts to maintain a counterterrorism presence in the region.
Diminished access and growing threats
Since halting operations in Niger, the US has faced greater challenges in monitoring and addressing terror threats in West Africa. ‘The region has become more opaque,’ Ekman cautioned, acknowledging that the loss of partnerships and access has weakened the US’s ability to counter violent extremist organisations (VEOs).
Although the withdrawal from Niger is seen as a setback for both US interests and its regional partners, Ekman believes that shared security objectives will continue to bind the US and Niger. ‘How we pursue those objectives, either together or apart, remains to be seen,’ he said, adding that the US military aims to keep “all options on the table.”
Regional consequences
The coups in West Africa have not only affected US operations but also destabilised efforts to combat extremism in the region. Niger, which was a key hub for US intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations, has seen an increase in deadly extremist attacks since the US withdrawal. The loss of US support has significantly impacted Niger’s ability to counter terror threats.
US military officials have acknowledged that diplomatic and economic solutions are crucial in addressing the root causes of terrorism in Africa. However, they also emphasise the importance of maintaining a military presence to manage the immediate threats posed by militant groups in the region.
As the US recalibrates its strategy in West Africa, it will focus on working more closely with partner nations like Chad, which remains at the frontline of the fight against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.
Looking forward
The return of US Special Forces to Chad marks an important step in the reshaping of the US’s military presence in West Africa. While the challenges are significant, the US aims to strengthen its relationships with key partners in the region and adapt its approach to the evolving security landscape. Whether this will be enough to contain the rising militant threat in the Sahel remains to be seen.
