INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Niger is advancing its autonomy in foreign policy by integrating Russian military trainers, marking a significant shift in its security
unloading air defense systems and military equipment from a cargo plane.This move came shortly after Niger ended a critical agreement with
the United States that permitted American military and drone operations on its territory.Niger military spokesperson criticizes U.S
presence as unconstitutional, violating democratic norms without public consultation on foreign military installations.The termination
followed warnings from a U.S
Strategic Shift from Western Alliances
traditional Western powers.The decision to engage with Russia also aligns with a wider regional disapproval of French military
involvement.This sentiment led to the withdrawal of French troops from Niger and its Sahel neighbors like Mali and Burkina Faso.These
countries, historically linked to the former Soviet Union, are now diversifying their international relationships toward non-Western
in Niger but also in Mali, Burkina Faso, and potentially Chad and Sudan.Analysts view this as a strategic move by Russia to cement a
substantial geopolitical stance in the region.This strategic pivot towards Russia by Niger and other Sahel countries signifies a profound
foreign policies.This realignment occurs amidst the backdrop of ongoing challenges, including jihadist insurgencies and complex political
dynamics.It underscores a push for greater regional autonomy and a redefined approach to international engagements.
