The newly found agreement between Russia and Niger signals the return of the Russian influence coming back to Africa as the United States (U.S.) leaves Niger. Outpacing U.S. to grab a piece of the influence sphere over Africa is a starting point for Russia to settle within the region. Russia is settling in Niger with sending instructors and military equipment to build a cooperative alliance while using the country as a stronghold. As the European Union (EU) and the U.S. ends their contracts with Niger after the coup, Niger turns to Russia to build a new line of security cooperation which might have long lasting impacts over Africa and the Western countries.
Russian Africa Corps soldiers were sent to Niamey, Niger, on April 12 as part of military cooperation agreements that Niger and Russia signed in December 2023 and January 2024. Russia’s deployment is a component of a larger plan to strengthen its influence in Niger, which will affect the relationship between the U.S. and Niger.[1] The Russian Ministry of Defence’s strategic preparation for the arrival of these troops puts the U.S. presence and counterterrorism operations in the area in jeopardy. The Nigerien junta, which has been shown symptoms of detachment from Western allies since early 2024, terminated a defence cooperation agreement with the U.S. on March 16 and on March 27, respectively, escalating tensions.
This escalation of tensions and as the Russian influence on Niger grows U.S. should look at this situation as a potential lose of power sphere over the region itself. Furthermore, giving over a foothold in Africa to Russia while losing security agreements and contracts would only give Russia even more opportunities to seek further allies within the region itself while also others might turn to Russian cooperation other than the West in general. As the erosion of Western influence soars over Niger, Russia fills the power vacuum while outpacing U.S. and its interests. Moreover, U.S. and the European countries must realign and reassess their foreign policies according to that while Russia finds its new position in Niger.
Moreover, Russia’s involvement in Niger and its general global strategy are consistent with its strategic goals of extending its influence across the globe through the development of military and economic relationships with nations that have been left out or alienated by the West in general. In addition to giving Russia more strategic depth, this gives it weight in international geopolitical forums like the United Nations (UN), where African countries make up a sizable voting group. Investing in such plans and strategies also pushes U.S. out of the region by making them irrelevant and posing them as a force of old.
In connection to that, Russia’s military presence in the region could also change the stability and the balance of powers. The region of Sahel is already plagued with terrorism and the introduction of Russian military into the area could further escalate confrontations which might affect the global effort to stabilize the region. However, a more cooperative action strategy with the Russian military and the Niger could also present a more positive outcome for the region in the future. This kind of possibility should be further observed and considered by the Western states and especially by the U.S. because a positive outcome would mean Russia would only strengthen its presence there in the long term.
In conclusion, Russian military and political presence in Niger will have both economic and geopolitical consequences for the West and the U.S. in the future. This shift of power and cooperation signals a Russian political expansion in Africa and West’s response might possibly escalate tension to push Russia out while currently U.S. its losing power. These events would also have long lasting impacts over certain international organisation such as UN, NATO and the African Union which would complicate international peacekeeping efforts or influence the voting patterns and resolutions in the coming days. Besides, the presence of a foreign military and mercenaries might upset the balance and stability in Niger as well while inviting future conflicts in the area. In summary, U.S. leaving the Niger and Russia’s quick arrival in the region raises certain questions and concerns in the international community while Russia grows its presence in Africa.
By The European Institute for International Relations
[1] https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/12/africa/russian-weapons-trainers-niger-intl/index.html
