German army to vacate Niger air base in August

Berlin — The German army will end operations at its air base in Niger by August 31 following the breakdown of talks with the Sahel country's ruling junta, Germany's defense ministry said Saturday.  All Bundeswehr soldiers stationed at the base will be withdrawn by August 31 and German military cooperation with Niger will end, the ministry added.  The breakdown in negotiations marks Niger's latest diplomatic shift away from the West since a coup d'etat in July 2023 ousted President Mohamed Bazoum...