Русский
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has met with Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Niger’s Transitional Prime Minister, and with Abdourahamane Tiani, head of Niger’s ruling National Council for the Defense of the Homeland in Niger’s capital, Niamey.
Niger has been badly affected in recent years by significant security issues, mostly related to the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in neighbouring African countries. This eventually resulted in a military coup in 2023 to restore order to a fractured nation. In March 2024, Russia’s Wagner Group provided military assistance to the interim military government and helped expel French and US forces in October this year. The main aim is to restore longer-lasting peace and security in Niger, which has been subjected to conflicts since 1991, and eventually to return to a parliamentary system, although this may take time.
The Russian and Niger delegations discussed opportunities for developing practical cooperation in energy, agriculture, infrastructure projects, and in prospecting and developing mineral resources. They also touched on prospects for enhancing interaction in the humanitarian sphere, including education, culture and sports.
Niger possesses some of the world’s largest uranium deposits and was the main supplier of uranium to the EU (mainly France), followed by Kazakhstan and Russia as recently as 2021. Niger has subsequently cancelled its uranium exports to France under claims of colonial exploitation. Drought cycles, desertification, and conflict have also undercut Niger’s economy over the past 30 years.
In September of 2023, the military-led governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso formed the Alliance of Sahel States to prevent opposition to potential military intervention and to upgrade long-term security plans, with Russia a major security supporter of these developments.
Future economic growth may be sustained by the exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources, with Russia especially interested in these aspects.
Further Reading
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