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

According to the report of the international group Tasnim news agency, newspaper ” The Financial Times 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 noiselessly at the international airport of Niamey, the capital of Niger, around midnight, and delivered 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 change comes amid a wave of terror and instability in the region, with the military taking 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.

Ebrahim Yahya Ibrahim, senior analyst of the Sahel International Crisis Group, told this newspaper that the main reason for the rapprochement between Russia and Niger is that Moscow is “Protecting the ruling regime in Niamey”. The only thing they fear is air attacks, and the country that provides them with an air defense system is Russia, and this is where Moscow’s role becomes colorful.

Niger plans to buy military weapons from Russia

Moreover, Niger’s Minister of Interior, Mohamed Tomba, on Wednesday during the 12th International Conference of Representatives The high-level security summit held in St. Petersburg announced that his country is interested in training Russian military specialists for local security forces and is also willing to buy military weapons from Russia.

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

Niger is strengthening its cooperation with Russia amid the collapse of its 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 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.

In the coming days, an American delegation is supposed to enter the country 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 American military and civilian personnel to be present on the territory of this African country.

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