Niger ends security and defence partnerships with EU

The military leadership of Niger said yesterday that the country will be terminating two EU security and defence operations. Earlier in the day, they had agreed to enhance military cooperation with Russia.

According to AFP, the Nigerien foreign ministry said that Niger and the EU were terminating their agreement over the EUCAP Sahel Niger civilian capacity-building mission based in Niamey.

The mission, which began in 2012, provides assistance to the authorities, non-governmental organisations, and Niger’s internal security forces.

In a press announcement, the foreign ministry of Niger also revealed that the “withdrawal by the State of Niger of consent for the deployment of an EU military partnership mission” in Niger had been declared.

Launched in February “at the request of the Nigerien authorities,” the military alliance EUMPM was announced on the EU Council website.

The Niger Armed Forces’ capacity to contain the terrorist threat was supposedly bolstered by its design, according to the website.

The southeast of the country is affected by a protracted war in neighbouring Nigeria, and the west is being attacked by militants who have crossed into the country from Mali and Burkina Faso. As a result, the West African nation is fighting two jihadist insurgencies simultaneously.

Following the international outcry that followed the July coup that deposed elected President Mohamed Bazoum, the country has been governed by military leaders.

Due to recent coups in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, both countries’ forces have opted to align with Russia, while Niger’s military dictatorship has cut ties with its long-standing European allies, most notably France.

Revolutionary partners

After the overthrow of Bazoum, a crucial ally of Paris, the military chiefs in Niger demanded that France, the former colonial ruler, begin pulling its 1,500 troops out of the country.

At the same time, in Niamey, Russian officials led by the deputy defence minister met with their Nigerian counterparts, and the two nations have agreed to enhance their military cooperation.

Not since July 26, when a coup occurred in Niger, has a member of the Russian government made an official visit.

Colonel-General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and his delegation met with General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of Niger’s military administration, for discussions.

“The Republic of Niger and the Russian Federation signed documents to strengthen military cooperation,” as stated by Nigerien authorities.

Despite their shared struggle against Islamist insurgencies, the military governments of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali have joined forces to form the Alliance of Sahel States, which will bring their economies closer together and allow them to provide each other with military aid.

The battle against rebels in one of the world’s most troublesome zones took another hit on Saturday when Burkina Faso and Niger joined Mali in leaving the G5 anti-jihadist coalition in Africa’s Sahel area.

An official declaration from Burkina Faso and Niger read: “have decided in full sovereignty to quit all instances of the G5 Sahel, including the joint force” as of November 29.

The G5 is down to just Chad and Mauritania, with the EU footing the bill for much of their military spending.