Information
On Wednesday, the Russian defence ministry initiated a deployment to Niger, involving military personnel and trainers as part of a new collaborative agreement with the Nigerien military junta led by Abdourahamane Tchiani. According to Nigerien state TV, the arrival of Russian military trainers and their equipment, showcased by the landing of Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft, aims to enhance military cooperation and capabilities between the two nations. A key element of this partnership includes the installation of an anti-aircraft system in Niger; as a trainer, concealing most of his identity, emphasising the objective to develop the Nigerian military and fortifying the military alliance between Russia and Niger.
This burgeoning military collaboration has led to heightened tensions with Western nations, particularly the United States, which has expressed concerns over the growing influence of Russia in Niger following the revocation of an agreement that allowed US troops to operate from two bases within the country. As a result, about 1,000 US military personnel and significant investments such as a $100 million drone base face uncertainties in their future operations. This shift comes amidst a backdrop of increasing military coups in West Africa, with nations like Mali and Burkina Faso severing long-standing military ties with France and forming an alliance known as the Alliance of Sahel States, aimed at asserting greater regional autonomy and resilience against Islamist militias, even as violence and humanitarian crises escalate in the region.
Source: dpa, Reuters
So what
It is highly likely that this is part of Russia’s plan to try to maintain its influence over military strong men in Africa. This allows the Kremlin to gain what they call “international” support for their actions in Ukraine while supporting these leaders to stay in power. While it is unlikely much will change in Africa in the short term, it is possible we will see Ukrainian SF conducting attacks against Russian troops.
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