Russian troops arrive in Niger as military agreement begins

Russian military instructors have recently arrived in Niger under a new agreement with the country's military junta, which has severed ties with Western nations. State media disclosed their arrival alongside a modern air defense system. Their mission includes installing the system and providing training to Niger's military personnel.

This move reflects a growing trend of Sahel region nations, including Niger, bolstering relations with Russia. A spokesperson for Niger's military government confirmed that the Russians are there to conduct soldier training.

The Russian Defence Ministry's paramilitary group, Africa Corps, also referred to as the Russian Expeditionary Corps (REK), announced via Telegram that it had deployed its initial contingent of servicemen and volunteers to Niger. Their stated objective, as conveyed by a corps member speaking in French in an attached video, is to enhance military cooperation between the two nations. They emphasized bringing various specialized military equipment to support training efforts.

Niger's state television broadcast footage showing the Russian instructors unloading a cargo plane loaded with equipment. Ulf Laessing, a Sahel region specialist from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, which advocates for democracy, commented on the situation to the BBC World Service's Newsday program. He suggested that the military supplies being brought in could be perceived as part of a "regime survival package," indicating a strategic move by the military junta in Niger to consolidate its power through strengthened military ties with Russia.

Niger's democratically elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted by the junta last year, leading to the severance of military and diplomatic ties with France, the former colonial power, and the cancellation of an agreement with the US. Consequently, the European Union suspended its security cooperation with Niger following the coup.

According to Ulf Laessing, the military government in Niger remains wary of potential intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas), a regional political and economic alliance. This apprehension likely prompted the acquisition of a Russian air defense system, rather than for combating Islamist insurgents.

Laessing reasoned that since jihadist groups lack aircraft, the deployment of an air defense system suggests a focus on safeguarding against external threats rather than combating internal ones.

Kabir Adamu, an official from Beacon Security, voiced concerns over Niger's shifting alliances away from traditional Western partners towards countries like Russia, China, and Iran. He worried that this alignment with Russia might embolden the military junta in Niger to prolong its rule, similar to the situations observed in neighboring Mali. This trend of military cooperation among Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, as highlighted by Abdel-Fatau Musa, the Ecowas commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, indicates a concerning pattern in the region.

Niger's suspension from Ecowas, a regional bloc advocating for democratic governance, underscores the urgency for the country to return to civilian rule, a sentiment echoed for Burkina Faso and Mali as well. However, the recent decision by the junta-led nations to withdraw from Ecowas signals a further departure from regional democratic norms.

The growing military alliances and the disregard for regional calls for democratic transition raise fears of prolonged instability in the Sahel region. This instability could exacerbate existing conflicts and hinder efforts for peace and development, posing significant challenges for the stability of the region as a whole.

"Our position is clear. We shall hold the country of origin responsible for any egregious human rights violations.

"We urge countries in the region not to facilitate another cycle of proxy wars in Africa," Mr Musa told the BBC, although he said sovereign states had a right to choose their international partners.

Niger has been facing increased violence by the Islamic State group, as well as the continuing threat of Boko Haram militants along its border with Nigeria.

Earlier this week, at least six soldiers were killed in a blast in the Tillabery region near the border with Mali.

Niger's defence ministry, which confirmed the attack, said an army patrol vehicle hit a landmine near the south-western village of Tingara earlier this week, killing some of the soldiers. Others were wounded and were taken to hospital. The ministry said it had carried out an air strike to neutralise those responsible for planting the homemade landmine.

While the military government cited worsening insecurity in Niger as the reason for the coup, reports indicate that insurgents have continued to carry out attacks in parts of the country - almost on a monthly basis - especially in the Tillabery region