In a revelation by Niger’s state television, Russian military instructors and equipment arrived in the country on Wednesday, April 10th. This marks the first delivery of Russian military equipment in Niger’s recent history and serves as evidence of the strengthening partnership between the two countries.
In the images broadcasted by Niger’s national television, an Ilyushin aircraft carrying equipment and personnel lands at Niamey Airport. No mention is made of the number or status of the individuals, making it impossible to determine if they are regular Russian military personnel or members of the Africa Corps – a Russian military company that has replaced the Wagner Group. They are simply referred to as “instructors from the Russian Ministry of Defense.”
Only two of these members, with their faces concealed by masks, are shown facing the camera by the national television. One of them states that they are present to develop military cooperation between Niger and Russia and “to train the Nigerien army and assist them in using the military equipment that has just arrived.”
Regarding the equipment, no inventory is provided, except for the mention of providing and installing a “state-of-the-art anti-aircraft system.”
The strengthening of cooperation between Russia and Niger comes as no surprise. Neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, with whom Niger formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), have been boasting about their partnership with Moscow for several months.
Furthermore, Niger denounced its military cooperation agreement with the United States in March, with immediate effect. However, over 1,000 American soldiers remain stationed in the country, with the majority at the 101st Airbase in the city of Agadez. This base is strategically important for intelligence gathering, housing several drones and surveillance helicopters.