The Nigerian government did not comment on the news that Russian and American forces were stationed at one air base near the capital, Niamey. Unusually, the government controlled by the military junta that led a coup last July remained silent regarding the reports that circulated in Washington and Moscow about Russian soldiers entering a nearby air base. For Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, they chose it as their headquarters even though it is the same base that hosts American forces.
While some observers believe that this “unexpected coexistence” is intended by Niger to accelerate the departure of American forces and to reaffirm that they are unwanted guests after the military junta’s decision to expel American forces from the country, and the emergence of more than 20 popular demonstrations in Niger to demand their departure.
A plan to accelerate the departure of American forces
With American officials confirming that Russian forces will remain at the same base with the American army in Niger until the United States withdraws its forces from there, it appears that the matter was planned by Niamey and Moscow to expel the Americans in a special way and send strong messages that the African coast has become a complete ally of Russia.
In this regard, Nigerian researcher Mohamed Dai believes that choosing this base to accommodate Russian experts alongside American forces confirms Moscow’s desire to demonstrate superiority over Washington and officially announce its alliances with the Sahel countries, “unlike what happened in other neighboring countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Central Africa and Chad.” Which the French and American forces left without any provocations occurring or even there being a closeness between the time of the departure of the one and the arrival of the other or the place of residence.”
In his interview with Al Arabiya Net, the researcher points out that the decision of the ruling Transitional Military Council in Niger to expel American forces from the country came after Niamey was unable to benefit from the American military presence on its territory and Washington refused to cooperate and recognize the military rule, which prompted him to search for… Russia is ready to cooperate with the military and help train the Nigerian army.
A thousand American soldiers are required to leave
Washington suspended its cooperation with Niger after the coup that overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum last July, and it continues to accuse Niger of seeking to supply Iran with uranium.
While the military junta is awaiting the departure of about 1,000 American soldiers from Niger, Russian forces entered the 101 Air Base adjacent to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, which is the same base that hosts American forces.
The researcher considers this step dangerous and ill-considered, and there are consequences for Niger’s foreign relations. He adds, “Choosing this particular base is not in Niger’s interest, as American and Russian soldiers have become within close proximity… and there is great competition between the two parties in more than one location around the world.”
He says that if its goal is to accelerate the departure of American forces, then the fate of the American facilities in Niger will remain a matter of dispute if the two parties do not agree on it during the withdrawal.
He points out that America’s withdrawal from Niger serves Russia’s interests more, given the type of intelligence work carried out by American forces in Niger, which may not be compatible with Russia’s work and interests in the African coast.
He confirms that America has already begun to search for an alternative to its forces after its withdrawal from Chad and Niger. He says that the visit of AFRICOM Chairman Michael Langley to Ivory Coast and Benin a few days ago confirms that America will not abandon its influence in the region and will not stop its efforts to enhance military cooperation between the countries of the region and monitor the activity of armed groups in their strongholds.
The United States established the Agadez Air Base in northern Niger at a cost of $110 million in order to fly surveillance drones over West and Central Africa. The base’s work helped the CIA track terrorists in the Sahel region and ensure surveillance at the level of North African countries, especially Libya.
The number of Al-Qaeda soldiers is about 1,100 American soldiers participating in special operations against terrorist groups, and America lost 4 soldiers working at the military base in Niger in 2017.
