The arrival of 100 Russian soldiers in Niger this month was the final death knell for the presence of US forces, who have been based in the west African nation since 2013 — and underscored Niger’s determination to diversify its security partnerships beyond the west.
A wave of anti-France sentiment in the European nation’s former colonies has led to the rejection of French forces, while thousands of people have joined protests in Niger, where the junta took power in a July coup, calling for US troops to leave.
Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, senior Sahel analyst at the International Crisis Group, said Niger’s main reason for embracing Moscow was “protecting the regime”, particularly from France, which it has repeatedly accused of plotting its demise.
“One thing they fear is an attack from the air,” he said. “A country that will provide them with anti-aircraft defence — that’s where Russia comes in.
“It makes a lot of sense for [Niger] to embrace this new phase opening in the Sahel.”
The withdrawal of US troops from Niger was set in motion in March when a junta spokesperson described the military deal between the two as illegal and said it “violates all constitutional rules”.
