The withdrawal of American troops from Niger; Strategic victory for Russia

According to Tasnim International News Agency, the “Financial Times” newspaper wrote in an analysis that the decision of the United States to withdraw its forces from Niger is a strategic victory for Russia. A Russian plane landed quietly at the international airport of Niamey, the capital of Niger, around midnight, delivering air defense systems and troops to help its new ally.

This publication wrote: The presence of 100 soldiers this month was the last death knell for the presence of American forces that have been stationed in this country in West Africa since 2013. The policy shift comes amid a wave of terror and instability in the region, with the military seizing power in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali “while popular discontent over the failure of democratic governments and the West to stop violence by ISIS, al-Qaeda and Others have increased.

Ibrahim Yahya Ibrahim, a senior analyst at the Sahel International Crisis Group, told the newspaper that the main reason for the rapprochement between Russia and Niger is that Moscow is “protecting the regime in Niamey”. The only thing they are afraid of is air attacks, and the country that provides them with an air defense system is Russia, and this is where Moscow's role becomes prominent.

Niger plans to buy military weapons from Russia

In addition, Niger's Minister of Internal Affairs, Mohamed Tomba, announced on Wednesday during the 12th International Summit of High-Level Representatives on Security Affairs held in St. Petersburg that his country is interested in training Russian military experts for local security forces and is also willing Buy military weapons from Russia.

Pointing out that cooperation with Russia in the field of military training is necessary to fight terrorism, he said: Niger's leadership wants the Russian army to train local forces in warfare and the use of weapons.

Niger is strengthening its cooperation with Russia amid the collapse of the country's alliance with the United States. In this regard, on Sunday in northern Niger in the city of Agades, hundreds of people gathered against the presence of the Americans, whose military base is located in this city. Dozens of flags of Mali, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Russia were waved in this demonstration. This march was held two days after Washington decided to withdraw its troops from Niger.

An American delegation is supposed to enter the country in the coming days to coordinate the details of their departure. A military agreement with the United States was torn up by rebels who seized power in Niger in mid-March. According to them, the Washington delegation “did not observe diplomatic protocol”. This agreement allowed US military and civilian personnel to be present in the African country.

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