The Russian plane arrived at the international airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, transporting air defense systems and troops to Moscow’s new ally in the Sahel. The arrival of 100 soldiers this month marked the definitive end of the presence of US forces in Niger, where they had been deployed since 2013, and highlighted Niger’s determination to diversify its security partnerships beyond the Western sphere.
This event also represented another strategic victory for Moscow in the Sahel, the semi-arid region south of the Sahara, where military governments have increasingly shown their rejection of their traditional Western allies in favor of new alliances with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The changes in relations come amid a rising wave of insecurity and terror in the Sahel, where Islamist insurgents linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS have wreaked havoc for more than a decade, stretching from Niger to Burkina Faso and Mali. In response, military governments have taken power in these countries, due to growing popular discontent with the failure of democratic governments and the West to contain the violence.
The withdrawal of US troops is a fact
The withdrawal of US troops from Niger began in March when a junta spokesman described the military agreement between the two countries as illegal, arguing that it “violates all constitutional rules.”
The relationship worsened during the visit of US officials, including Under Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and the head of the US Africa Command, General Michael Langley, to Niamey. Nigerien officials called the U.S. delegation “condescending” and rejected its attempts to meet with junta leader Gen. Omar Tchiani.
Despite Washington’s initial resistance to withdrawal, Niger ended the agreement authorizing US forces to operate in the country. However, Washington continued to insist that negotiations with the junta were underway.
During his visit to Washington last week, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine met with US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell to discuss the relationship. Zeine made it clear that while Niger welcomed cooperation in other areas, it would not change its position on the troop presence, according to a source briefed on the situation.
What is the reason for this sudden withdrawal?
The main source of disagreement in the talks between Campbell and Zeine was a possible deal for Niger to sell uranium to Iran, according to US officials familiar with the negotiations.
Uranium is Niger’s largest export and the country is Africa’s second largest exporter of the metal. Zeine visited Tehran in January, when both countries agreed to cooperate on health, energy and finance. Iran is subject to international sanctions for its nuclear ambitions.
Niger’s acceptance of Russia was widely seen as inevitable after ties strengthened following the coup that toppled the democratically elected government of President Mohamed Bazoum. The former leader remains detained.
Criticized by France and the United States, which suspended nearly $600 million in military and economic assistance following the coup, and initially rejected by the Economic Community of West African States, the junta turned to Moscow to deepen diplomatic and security relations.
Growth in cooperation between Russia and Niger
Cooperation between Niamey and Moscow has intensified since the beginning of the year, with the Russian Defense Ministry saying in January that both countries would work together to “stabilize the situation in the region.” Putin and Tchiani spoke by phone last month, and a Kremlin message said they discussed a plan to “develop mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres” and coordinate “security and counterterrorism efforts” in the Sahel.
Amid rumors of discontent in Chad, where the military government has asked US troops to halt activities at the Adji Kossei air base, Hudson said Washington would be “deaf, dumb and blind” in the Sahel if its troops were also forced to retire.
According to the Russian state news agency Estuarythe newly arrived soldiers are from the Africa Corps, a semi-official arm of the Defense Ministry that absorbed the private military company Wagner Group after the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, last year.
Speaking on the airport tarmac shortly after the Russians arrived, one of the soldiers said they had come to train the Nigerien army. Dressed in a military uniform with most of his face hidden by a hairnet, he said: “We are here to develop military cooperation between Russia and Niger.”
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