Russian Military Personnel Move Into Niger Air Base Housing Some US Troops
ForbesMay 05
The Facts
Niger's state media has reported that new Russian military advisers and equipment have reached the country. This comes after Niger terminated a military cooperation agreement with the US and expelled French troops deployed on its soil.
The Africa Corps — considered the successor to the Russian Wagner paramilitary group in Africa — has confirmed that two military transporters landed in the West African country on Saturday.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Russian troop deployment proves that Moscow is eager to capitalize on anti-Western sentiment in Niger. That US troops now share a base with Russia's ruthless Africa Corps poses a certain security risk to the US, but it's primarily Niger's security that's at stake. While Moscow seeks to exploit Niger's resources, Islamist violence is on the rise since the forced withdrawal of Western troops. Niger's junta should think twice about turning its back on the US.
Establishment-critical narrative
That Russia is sending fresh military advisors and hardware to Niger is good news for the country and its people. The neocolonial West pretends to care about democracy while waging a never-ending war on terror in the Sahel to control its resources. However, times have changed, and African nations are increasingly rejecting Washington's hegemonic "rules-based order." Russia stands ready to back Niger in its quest for genuine independence and peace.