Russian aid arrives in Niger amid growing bilateral ties

Niger receives humanitarian aid from Russia, including food and basic amenities.
Russian troops replace US forces in Niger as part of shifting alliances and growing cooperation between the two nations.
Bilateral relations between Niger and Russia deepen, with recent deployments of Russian military personnel and training regiments.

A report by the Russian newspaper, Sputnik, according to one of its sources, revealed on Saturday that Niger received a shipment of humanitarian aid containing a large cargo of food and other basic amenities.

"Cooperation between Niger and Russia is not only in the fight against terrorism but also in the humanitarian sphere. The people of Niger are facing an acute problem of food security. While other countries blockade our state, the ordinary population suffers.

Russia has extended a helping hand and brought the necessary products; meanwhile, the Americans are packing their bags and preparing to leave Niger," the source added.

The source also revealed that Niger officials received the goods and loaded them into their trucks.

This is coming a few days after Russian troops landed in Niger and stationed in the same military base as the existing US troops.

Russia had also earlier in April deployed military instructors and personnel from Russia's defense ministry to train Nigerien soldiers and set up an air defense system in the country.

Since Niger’s coup on the 26th of July 2023, the country, alongside Mali and Burkina Faso has shared anti-west sentiments, propelled by continental sanctions and Western condemnation of their junta leaderships.

Instead, as seen by their corporate and security alliances, they have shifted toward China and Russia.

As mentioned earlier, US troops have begun their exit from Niger and have been replaced with Russian troops and Russian training regiments.