Niger, Russia ink agreement to strengthen military cooperation

Niger and Russia Monday signed a deal to bolster military cooperation between the two countries, a move that translates Russia’s growing presence in the region.

The agreement came as Russia’s deputy Defense minister Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Evkurov met with Abdourahamane Tiani, the new strongman of the West African country who arose to power on July 26 after toppling west-backed Mohamed Bazoum.

Evkurouv signed the document with Nigerian Defense Minister Salifou Mody.

The visit is the first ever by a Russian official since the coup. The coup dealt a blow to western powers namely France, the former colonial power, which has seen ties with Niamey going down the drain.

Like Niger, neighboring countries namely Mali and Burkina Faso, all of them former France-ruled colonies, have severed ties with the European country and stepped up cooperation with Russia in many areas including security, defense and communication.

In Late August 2023, Evkurov, met alternately with the Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traore and the Malian leader Assimi Goita to discuss the possibility of reinforcing the defense and military partnership between the States.

Russia, another Deputy Defense Minister, Alexander Fomin indicated, has agreements on military-technical cooperation with 30 African states. Six other countries are yet so ink similar agreements.