In Niger, the military authorities received the Russian deputy defense minister and new head of the Wagner Group. This is the first official visit by a member of the Russian government since the July 26 coup with the desire to strengthen military cooperation between Niger and Russia, while the Niamey authorities turn their backs on their Western partners in this area.
Published on: April 12, 2023 – 9:04 p.m
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After the reception on Sunday December 3rd in Bamako, the Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov was received this Monday December 4th in Niamey by General Abdourahamane Tiani.
The key, according to Nigerian authorities, is “the signing of documents as part of strengthening military cooperation” between Russia and Niger.
With great fanfare and in the presence of several senior military junta officers, the documents were signed by Nigerian Defense Minister Salifou Modi and his Russian counterpart Yunus Bek Yevkurov. Nothing is known about the content of these military cooperation agreements, which in the past were essentially limited to the training of intelligence officers and, in particular, Nigerian pilots.
With the security crisis, Niger is also buying more and more military equipment, weapons, ammunition and attack helicopters from Russia. The new document could also provide for the arrival of Russian instructors.
Will Niger call the Wagner Group? Opinions still differ within the junta. But this first visit by a Russian minister to Niamey since the coup strengthens Moscow’s presence in the Sahel. Even if the American ambassador in Niger still puts forward that Copy of his credentials to the Niamey authorities and that the European Union will be informed on the same day of the end of its military partnership with Niger and that its mission Eucap Sahel Niger will have six months to leave the country. Another break between Niamey and its western partners.
The move comes days after the repeal of the 2005 immigration law, drafted largely with EU support, and just over two months after securing the withdrawal of French troops from Niger.
#AESinfo | #Niger 🇳🇪
Niger-Russia: Meeting to Strengthen Military CooperationSince yesterday, a Russian delegation led by Deputy Defense Minister Lounous-Bek Evkourov has been visiting Niger. Today, December 4, 2023, this delegation had a meeting… pic.twitter.com/JSpfBXRhdJ
— Information about the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) (@AESinfos) December 4, 2023
Also read: Niger: The junta is increasingly isolated diplomatically and is looking for new allies