FROM TELEGRAM:
🇺🇲🇷🇺The Russian African Corps will replace US forces in Niger.
A US unit of special forces and drone forces were deployed to Niger in early 2013 as part of Operation Juniper Shield. The American units' task was to support French intervention in neighboring Mali. Later, the US focused on fighting terrorist groups in Niger, such as IS and Boko Haram.
In 2023, there was a coup in Niger when the Presidential Guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tchiani led the military junta that seized power and has a negative view of French and US influence in Niger while seeking cooperation with Russia.
In March 2024, Niger announced the suspension of the military agreement with Washington and demanded the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country. On April 12th, the first Russian military advisors arrived in the country, and on April 19th, the State Department agreed to withdraw all 1,000 US troops from the country.
At the moment, American drone units and units of the newly formed Russian African Corps are stationed together at the 101st airbase near Diori Hamani International Airport, in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The Russian African Corps has been deployed to Africa including Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic. It has replaced PMC Wagner and is composed of former PMC personnel. In addition to its presence in Niger, Russia has already deployed approximately two thousand troops to the CAR and several hundred more to Burkina Faso.
So, the US is withdrawing its forces from Africa, while Russia is deploying thousands of its military personnel. And it seems like this is only the beginning.
#Africa #Russia #Africom #Niger
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