Russian troops enter base housing US military in Niger, official says

Russian troops have entered an air base in Niger, Africa, that houses US troops, a senior US defense official told Reuters.

This comes after a decision by Niger's junta to expel American forces from the country, which had almost 1,000 soldiers.

Until last year's coup d'état, Niger was a key partner in Washington's fight against insurgents who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more in the region.

A senior US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted that Russian forces were not mixing with US troops but were using a separate hangar at Air Base 101, which is adjacent to Diori Hamani International Airport. , in Niamey, capital of Niger.

The move by the Russian military puts its troops and American soldiers in close proximity, at a time when military and diplomatic rivalry between the nations is increasingly fierce over the conflict in Ukraine.

It also raises questions about the fate of US facilities in the country after their withdrawal.

“[A situação] It’s not great, but manageable in the short term”, pondered the authority.

The Niger and Russian embassies in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

US and allies withdraw troops in Africa

The United States and its allies have been forced to withdraw troops from several African countries following coups d'état that brought to power groups eager to distance themselves from Western governments.

In addition to their imminent departure from Niger, American troops have also left Chad in recent days, while French forces have been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso.

At the same time, Russia seeks to strengthen relations with African nations, presenting itself as a friendly country, without a colonial past on the continent.

Mali, for example, has in recent years become one of Russia's closest African allies, with the Wagner Group mercenary force moving there to fight jihadist insurgents.

Russia has described relations with the United States as “below zero” because of military and financial aid to Ukraine.

The US source said Nigerien authorities told President Joe Biden's administration that around 60 Russian troops were in Niger — a number it was unable to verify.

Base cost more than R$511 million

After the coup d'état, the American military transferred some of its forces in Niger from Air Base 101 to Air Base 201, in the city of Agadez. It was not immediately clear what U.S. military equipment remained at Air Force Base 101.

The United States built Air Base 201 in central Niger at a cost of more than US$100 million (R$511 million).

Since 2018, it has been used to target fighters from the Islamic State and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al Qaeda affiliate, with armed drones.

Washington is concerned about Islamic militants in the Sahel region, who may be able to expand without the presence of US troops and intelligence capabilities.

Niger's decision to request the removal of American troops came after a meeting in Niamey in mid-March, when senior U.S. officials raised concerns such as the possible arrival of Russian forces and reports that Iran was seeking raw materials. raw materials in the country, including uranium.

While the U.S. message to Nigerien authorities was not an ultimatum, the official noted, it was clear that U.S. forces could not be on a base with Russian forces.

“They didn’t take it very well,” said the employee.

A two-star American general was sent to Niger to try to organize a professional and responsible withdrawal.

While no decision has been made about the troops' future in the country, the source noted that the plan was for them to return to U.S. Africa Command bases located in Germany.