Putin Sends Air Defence System, Russian Soldiers To Niger Republic

The Niger Republic has received 100 military trainers and an air defense equipment from Russia.

Niger’s soldiers would be trained in using the system by military officers from the Russian Ministry of Defense, according to a late-night report from RTN, the country’s official broadcaster.

The military junta chief, Abdourahamane Tchiani, and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call at the end of March, which came before this.

In the struggle against Islamist militias in the Sahel area, where jihadists are still gaining ground, Niger stood as the final democratic friend of the United States, France, and other European nations until the military coup that occurred last July.

The military collaboration between the junta and the United States in combating terrorism was terminated in March.

The German Armed Forces operate an air base in Niamey, the future of which is still unclear.

State television showed images of a Russian Ilyushin-76 aircraft that had landed at Niamey airport on Wednesday.

“We are here to train the Niger army using the military equipment that has arrived here,” a masked, fair-skinned man in military uniform said in heavily accented French in the broadcast.

The report went on to say that since the military took control on July 26, Niger has taken a new course that will diversify its partners and assert its sovereignty in the international arena.

In order to address contemporary dangers, particularly in the area of security, Messrs. Putin and Tchiani talked about “strengthening cross-sectoral and comprehensive strategic cooperation between Niger and Russia.”

Similar to its neighbor Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is shifting its allegiance towards Russia and away from its Western allies, especially the former colonial power France.

After coups, the armed forces have taken control of all three nations.

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