Niger state television RTN reported that Russian military experts have arrived in Niger to conduct combat training and deploy air defense systems in the country.
According to Sputnik, the appearance of Russian military instructors took place before a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Mr. Abdourahmane Tchiani, Chairman of the National Council for the Defense of the Fatherland of Niger.
Russian military experts have just arrived in Niger. Photo: OBOZ.UA
According to Akinyinka Akinyoade, a political analyst and senior Africa researcher at the Leiden Center in the Netherlands, in theory, France's withdrawal from Niger has created a vacuum in Niger's national order and security, so the presence of Russian troops is natural. It is also not surprising that Russia agreed to help Niger when Moscow's influence in Africa is growing. The expert said that Russia has recently supported the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso in political, military and economic contexts that are almost similar to Niger.
France occupied Niger for more than 60 years, until 1960, and maintained a presence in the African country long after that. The last French troops left the Republic of Niger in December 2023. Previously, the French ambassador and diplomatic mission were expelled from Niger in September 2023 after a dispute that led to the authorities cutting off the embassy's water supply.
KHANH MINH
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