The following events mark yet another diplomatic move amid mounting political tension between Niger and the EU following the July coup.
The Nigerien Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the country's withdrawal from all European Union military partnership missions, as reported by Sarbaz.kz citing France Press.
Furthermore, Niger's government disbanded the EU Mission aimed at enhancing civil capabilities, established in 2012 to strengthen its internal security sector.
Earlier, Niger hosted a delegation from the Russian Ministry of Defense. During the visit, the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Defense Minister Yunusbek Yevkurov, met with the leader of the Nigerien coup, General Abdurahman Chiann, and the State Minister of National Defense, Salifou Modi. On Monday, both sides held additional meetings to discuss military matters.
"The focus of discussions revolves around bolstering cooperation between the two countries in the defense sphere," stated the Nigerien Ministry of Defense.
Most of Niger's foreign economic and security allies have imposed sanctions on the country, including France, which had 1,500 military personnel in Niger, all of whom were asked to leave the country.
Analysts note that while regional and international sanctions aimed at pressuring the junta to reverse the state coup have strained the country, they have also emboldened the military government as it consolidates power and seeks new partnerships.
Before the state coup that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum, Niger was the last major Western and European security partner in the Sahel – an extensive region south of the Sahara Desert that Islamist extremist groups have turned into a hotspot of global terror.
