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In its efforts to tighten security ties with West African nation of Niger Republic, Russia has sent some military trainers, air defence systems and other equipment to the land locked country.
It would be recalled that In January, Niger Republic expelled French forces that were helping to fight armed rebellions in several Sahel nations and embraced military relations with Russia.
However, Broadcaster Tele Sahel showed a Russian transport plane arriving at Niamey airport, as it reported late on Thursday that “the latest military equipment and military instructors” from Russia’s Ministry of Defence had landed in the capital.
Russia will help “install an air defence system … to ensure complete control of our airspace”, the report said.
State-run Radio Television du Niger said on its Facebook page that 100 Russian military instructors had arrived in Niamey.
Russia has been seeking to establish its influence in Africa ever since its animosity with neighbour Ukraine and by extension NATO.
However, despite sending equipments and facilities to the West African country, Russia is yet to pass a comment on the matter so far.
Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, had been a front-line partner of the West in battling armed fighters in the Sahel but has turned to Russia since a coup last July overthrew elected President Mohamed Bazoum.