Numerous signs point to Niger as a goal in the expansion of Russian influence in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region, where large-scale protests against the French force “Berkhan” took place in the streets of the Nigerian capital, Niamey, last September, while Russia praised them.
The anti-French chants heard on the streets of Niamey included “Barkhan Tarj out,” “France dropping,” “Long live Putin and Russia,” and “The Army of Brakhhan colonial” must leave. This was seen by observers as proof that Russia had been successful in creating a political stream of Al-Madani forces to support its influence in the area.
Russian infiltration strategy in Niger includes arms deals; in fact, Moscow and Niger struck a contract in October 2019 to send 12 Mi-35 assault helicopters to Niger.
In August 2017, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with Niger, and under the draft agreement, the two sides will cooperate in the war on terrorism, and exchange information on military and political issues and issues of international security enhancement.
Niger, why?
Russian advancement and French retrenchment
On the deepening of Russia for its presence in the continent, Michael Shockeen, a researcher at the American “Rand Center” for security consulting, said that Russia has become an influential player in the Sahel region, adding that “the Russians deal intelligently with French failures and anti -Paris feelings in the Sahel region.
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According to the African Center for Strategic Studies, “Russia’s strategic goal in Africa is to remove Western influence, and this was clearly shown in the Central African Republic and the Sahel region, where Russia has become the dominant security partner of the isolated and at risk civilian government in the Central African Republic and the Military Council in Mali, and seeks to seek to Extending her cooperation with Chad and Niger.
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Also, the researcher in African affairs at the University of Bamako, Mohamed Ag Ismail, also believes that France’s policy since Niger Independence has failed to achieve development, as well as its interventions in internal affairs, whether by supporting the heads of loyal to it at the expense of the interests of people The continent without providing the minimum people.
Ismail agreed that France “must expand and accomplish security outcomes in Niger, as well as entering into a discussion with the current regimes despite the reservation of its legitimacy, in order to sustain its influence in light of Russia’s incursion of the coast countries.”
especially on the brown continent of Russia. Moscow is turning its attention to Niger.
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