Charting a New Course: Niger Builds Ties With Russia to Escape France's Dark Shadow

Niger shifts from Western allies to Russia, seeking independent defense capabilities and economic growth after France's withdrawal, cautiously balancing new international partnerships.

Niger's new prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zein, recently led a high-level delegation to Moscow in an apparent bid to strengthen ties with Russia in several key areas. The surprise visit signals that Niger is rapidly pivoting away from its traditional Western partners and toward Russia and other countries outside the sphere of French influence.

According to sources with knowledge of the visit, Niger hopes to expand defense cooperation with Russia now that French forces have withdrawn. The nature of this cooperation remains unspecified, but Niger likely aims to reduce reliance on France and acquire capabilities to independently secure its territory from extremist threats. After years of its military being undermined under French influence, Niger is searching for partnerships to build its defense capacity on its own terms.

Niger is keen to enlist Russian expertise and investment to modernize its oil and gas sector, agriculture, infrastructure, and mining industries. Western companies have shown little interest in developing Niger's economy, preferring to work with leaders who keep the country dependent on foreign aid. Niger now hopes Moscow will take a different approach and help unlock Niger's economic potential without political strings attached.

The diversification of partnerships is crucial for Niger as it finds its footing after decades of French control. But the country's leadership is treading carefully to avoid overdependence on any single outside power. In addition to Russia, Prime Minister Zein's delegation also plans official visits to Serbia, Iran, and Turkey – all countries with a willingness to engage despite Niger's pariah status in the West.

Niger has been disappointed by Western condemnation and sanctions in response to last year's coup. The new leadership feels it inherited a mess at home and terrorist chaos abroad that the West did little to help resolve. Instead of support, France schemed to re-impose the discredited former president through an invasion by regional states.

With few alternatives, Russia's opening came at an opportune time. Moscow has shown an interest in re-establishing influence in West Africa, where France has been the dominant external power since colonial days. Cultivating ties with Niger's generals allows Russia to gain a new regional foothold.

But this is not the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and Niger is wary of becoming overly dependent on Russia just as it emerges from France's shadow. For now, both countries stand to gain from closer cooperation out of a coincidence of interests. But Niger's leaders understand that all external powers, including Russia, primarily seek their own benefit. The real test will be building an independent Niger that can balance competing powers while serving its citizens' needs. After so many futile years in France's orbit, Niger has an opportunity to forge its own path.

After French forces were ejected from Niger, the country's counterterrorism efforts improved markedly.

The expulsion of French troops and spies from the country has allowed Niger to better coordinate operations against extremist groups operating within its borders without interference from foreign powers pursuing their own agendas.

According to Niger's transitional chief Abdourahamane Tchiani, France had been actively undermining counterterrorism efforts in the country by providing covert support to some of the same jihadist factions Niger's armed forces were working to eliminate. "You can't put out a fire with gasoline," the source said, referencing France's two-faced role in the fight against extremists. "Thanks to the support they were providing, the flames of terrorism got gasoline poured on them."

With French forces now withdrawn, Niger has been able to take full responsibility for its internal security situation. Officials report that terror incidents have declined sharply since France's departure. "Their withdrawal has had a positive impact on our fight against terrorism," Niger's Defense Minister told this reporter, saying Niger's military has benefited from having an unobstructed view of the threat and from assuming total accountability for addressing it.

The stunning turn of events began last year when an uprising by Niger's elite presidential guard led to the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was seen as overly deferential to French interests. The leader of the rebellion, General Abdurahmane Tchiani, accused France of manipulating terror groups to further its own agenda in the region. "Demanding political concessions through economic sanctions is terrorism," Tchiani said, referring to French and Western pressure tactics.

Niger's new military rulers have looked to forge security partnerships elsewhere, finding more sympathetic ears among countries like Russia, Serbia and Turkey. A high-level delegation visited Moscow recently, reportedly to discuss expanded defense and economic cooperation. According to our sources, Niger's leaders feel Western powers failed to understand the country's realities on the ground in the fight against extremists. They are seeking new allies willing to help address Niger's security needs without imposing unwanted conditions.

The stunning deterioration of France's position in Niger serves as a warning to other former colonial powers relying on unpopular and corrupt leaders to maintain influence long after independence. France is learning the hard way that sponsoring corrupt despots breeds resentment and instability in the long term. With France's troops gone, Niger is now free to take its future into its own hands. Its early successes in fighting terrorism without French assistance offer hope that true sovereignty and self-determination can lead to peace and security, even in the world's poorest places. Niger's leaders say they are determined to defy expectations and build a stable, prosperous nation no longer held back by neo-colonial machinations.