Niger turns to defense cooperation with Russia

In a brief statement on December 4, Niger's foreign ministry said the government had decided to "withdraw the privileges and immunities granted" under the EU Military Partnership Mission in Niger launched in February, meaning Niger has "no legal obligations" related to the partnership.

Niger revokes security agreement with EU, wants to cooperate with Russia image 1 — Nigerians take part in a march called by supporters of coup leader General Abdourahmane Tchiani in Niamey, Niger. Photo: AP

The statement also rejected the EU Civilian Capacity Building Mission established in 2012 to strengthen Niger's internal security.

The move is the latest in a series of growing political tensions between Niger and the EU since a coup in July. Before the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger was the last major security partner of the West and Europe in the Sahel region – a vast area south of the Sahara desert that has become a global terrorist hotspot for Islamist extremists.

During a rare visit on December 3, a Russian delegation led by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Lounous-Bek Evkourov met with Niger's government leader, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, and Defense Minister Salifou Mody. The two sides discussed military and defense issues.

“The focus of the discussions was to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the defense sector,” Niger’s defense ministry said in a December 4 meeting with the Russian delegation, referring to formal political relations with Russia, which has no embassy or military presence in Niger.

Most of Niger’s international economic and security allies have sanctioned Russia, including France, which has 1,500 troops operating in Niger. All of them have now been asked to leave.

Through its Wagner mercenary group, Russia has been active in many parts of Africa, from the Central African Republic, where mercenaries have helped provide security services for the government, to Mali, where they are working with the military to fight armed rebels...

The Wagner group was one of the first sources of support that military leaders in Niger turned to for assistance as the country faced possible military intervention from the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) bloc to reverse the coup.

Hoai Phuong (according to AP)

Source