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According to Nigerien officials, a Russian delegation led by the deputy defense minister met with Niger’s military chiefs in Niamey on Monday, and the two countries agreed to enhance military cooperation.
The trip marked the first formal visit by a member of the Russian government since the July 26 coup in Niger, when the army deposed the civilian administration, provoking international censure.
Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov led the team, which was hosted for negotiations by General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger’s military administration.
The sides “signed documents to strengthen military cooperation between the Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation,” according to Nigerien officials.
Russian diplomacy is in a good position in Niger, where relations with former colonial master France worsened following the July coup.
Following the dictates of the military authorities who removed President Mohamed Bazoum, a crucial ally of Paris, France has began withdrawing its 1,500 troops from the country.
According to Bamako’s finance minister, the Russian group also met with military authorities in Mali, Moscow’s primary ally in the area, and discussed economic initiatives including work on renewable and nuclear energy.
In a video issued by Mali’s presidency, Alousseni Sanou also discussed the construction of a railway and tramway network, the establishment of a regional airline, and mining projects.
The military regimes of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are all fighting long-running Islamist insurgencies and have joined forces to support the formation of an Alliance of Sahel States, which would establish deeper economic links and mutual defense aid.
Burkina Faso and Niger followed Mali in leaving the G5 anti-jihadist group in Africa’s Sahel area on Saturday, the latest setback in the war against terrorists in one of the world’s most troublesome regions.
