The departure of the French and American troops from Niger created an opportunity for the Russians to replace them. In Niger, the Russian presence is not as dense as it is in neighboring Mali, where Russia’s Wagner Group is actually an extension of the Malian military. On 4 May 2024, a third Russia cargo flight landed in Niger, loaded with military equipment and instructors. In early May, a strange transition took place when Russian troops entered into base 101 near the international airport where American soldiers were already settled. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov spoke of the development of Russia’s relations with several African countries, without confirming or denying the Russian presence in Niamey.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 14, 2024 02:36 UTC