In coup-hit Niger, US seeks to prevent new Russian gain
- Niger has been the key base for US and French anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel
- Russia’s Wagner has partnered with African nations including neighbouring Mali
The United States is seeking to prevent Russia from scoring a major new win with coup-hit Niger, wagering despite initial disappointment that long-standing military ties will keep the country in the Western orbit.
Niger has been the linchpin of US and French anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel, especially since the military takeover of neighbouring Mali, which has shown the door to Western forces and welcomed Russia’s ruthless Wagner mercenary force.
She said that her main interlocutor, the newly named military chief of staff Brigadier General Moussa Salaou Barmou, has worked closely with US Special Forces and that she went into detail on “aspects of our cooperation that he has historically cared about a lot”.
“So we are hopeful that that will sink in,” she said.
