Niger has been in the news recently due to a series of significant events. The country experienced a military coup that ousted the president last July, leading to political instability. Subsequently, there were reports of new Russian military advisers and equipment arriving in Niger, as the government expressed a desire for U.S. forces to leave. Additionally, the junta in Niger has been making diplomatic and military agreements with various countries, including Russia, and has revoked certain laws and agreements, altering the country's international relations.
Niger, officially the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. It is bordered by several countries, including Libya, Chad, Nigeria, and Benin. Niger has faced challenges such as political instability, poverty, and security threats from jihadist groups in the region. The country's economy is primarily based on agriculture and mining, with uranium being a significant natural resource. Niger has a diverse population with various ethnic groups and languages spoken across the country.
-
The announcement spells out the terms of a pullout that the Biden administration unveiled last month and comes after a military junta ousted Niger’s president last July.
-
New Russian military advisers and military equipment have arrived in Niger, according to state television in the African country that wants U.S. forces to leave.
-
Mali's army says a senior Islamic State group commander wanted in connection with one of the deadliest attacks on U.S. forces in Africa has been killed
-
US ‘touched a nerve’ in security dealings with Niger, opening door to ‘transactional’ Russia as Sahel violence spirals.
-
U.S. officials said that they will begin to withdraw troops from Niger but there is no timeline
-
Two Western officials have told The Associated Press that the United States is trying to create a new military agreement with Niger that would allow it to remain in the country, weeks after the junta said its presence was no longer justified
-
Rights groups say the Russian mercenary group known as Wagner is helping government forces in central and northern Mali carry out raids and drone strikes that have killed scores of civilians
-
The army chiefs of military-ruled Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso on Wednesday announced the creation of a joint force to battle long-running jihadist rebellions raging in their countries.
-
Nigeria's government employees and other union workers began a new nationwide strike Tuesday over economic hardship caused by soaring inflation and growing economic pain.
-
ECOWAS summit in Abuja to address the exit of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and a constitutional crisis in a fourth member state.
-
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS, citing inhumane sanctions and a lack of support for their military-led governments.
-
US pledges a billion dollars to refurbish the Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola, marking its first major infrastructure investment in Africa in decades.
-
The French embassy in Niger has closed following strained relations and a military coup in the country.
-
France has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Niger after being asked to leave by the country's junta, ending years of military support and raising concerns about the fight against jihadi violence in the Sahel region.
-
The ECOWAS Court of Justice ruled that President Mohamed Bazoum and his family were arbitrarily detained and called for him to be restored to office.
-
The United Nations has concluded its 10-year peacekeeping mission in Mali, in response to the government's assertion that the force was inadequate to address the escalating violent extremism in the country.
-
Former president of Sierra Leone called in for questioning over failed coup attempt.
-
Niger's junta scraps EU military agreements and signs a military deal with Russia, ending EU missions in the country.
-
Niger's military junta has revoked a 2015 law that criminalized the transportation of migrants through the country, potentially leading to increased migration through Niger to Europe.
-
French president Macron signs energy deals with Kazakhstan to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy