Why Italian Troops Remain in the Sahel Amid Western Withdrawals
While most Western military forces have been expelled from Africa’s Sahel, Italy’s Carabinieri remain in Niger. Their specialized, hybrid approach to training and policing offers a unique alternative to traditional interventions, allowing Italy to maintain a strategic presence in a highly unstable region.
Highlights
- •Western forces have largely withdrawn from the Sahel, but a contingent of Italian Carabinieri remains in Niger.
- •The Carabinieri employ a hybrid model of military force and policing, making them effective in training local personnel.
- •Italy’s avoidance of modern postcolonial animosity has enabled it to maintain strategic relations where other Western nations failed.
- •Recent attacks by the Islamic State Sahel Province in Niamey underscore the region's persistent security challenges.
As Western military powers accelerate their withdrawal from the volatile Sahel region in Africa, a distinct exception remains. While nations like France, the United States, and various United Nations missions have been ousted from countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, a specialized contingent of 350 Italian troops continues to operate within Niger. This enduring Italian military presence highlights a unique strategy focused on technical training rather than large-scale combat intervention.
The Strategic Role of Italy’s Carabinieri
The Carabinieri, Italy’s specialized gendarmerie, distinguish themselves by blending traditional military capabilities with advanced policing functions. This hybrid model has proven highly effective in regions facing low-intensity conflicts, where the challenges increasingly mirror organized criminal activity. By training local forces in Niger, the Carabinieri provide a necessary security framework without the heavy colonial footprint that has fueled significant anti-Western sentiment elsewhere in the Sahel.
Following the 2023 coup d'état in Niger, the ruling junta expelled several international partners. However, the Italian military presence was permitted to remain. Analysts suggest this is due to Italy’s distinct historical position. Unlike France or Great Britain, Italy was forced out of its colonial territories after World War II, allowing it to navigate modern African geopolitics with fewer associations to the turbulent decolonization eras of the 1950s and 1960s.
Furthermore, Italy has maintained a careful diplomatic approach. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani publicly rejected the necessity of Western-imposed military interventions in the country, aligning more closely with the local climate. This diplomatic restraint, combined with the surgical, specialized nature of their operations, has solidified their reputation for reliability among local authorities.
Navigating Instability in the Sahel
The security landscape in Niger remains precarious, with an increasing surge of violence from militant groups. On January 29, 2026, an attack on the Diori Hamani airport in Niamey demonstrated the shifting tactics of the Islamic State Sahel Province. The continued presence of the Carabinieri alongside local forces during such incidents highlights their integrated role in national defense.
As global powers watch the Sahel, the Italian military presence offers a potential pathway for Western interests to remain engaged in the region. By prioritizing specialized training over massive force projection, Italy occupies a unique position. This strategy not only serves current stability goals but may also provide the only viable diplomatic channel for future Western engagement in a region where traditional peacekeeping missions have largely faltered.
