The United States military has withdrawn troops from the air base in the Nigerien capital, Niamey.

This marks the first step in the U.S. withdrawal from the country, following the denunciation of the military agreement between Niger and the United States.

The American army handed over the 101 air base over the weekend in the presence of the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Army, Maman Sani Kiaou, despite a departure deadline planned for September 15.

Augustine Kollie has more in the following report.