West African militaries reduced to sitting ducks as resurgent Islamic States attacks in northeast Nigeria take worrying trend
In January, ISWAP overran an army base in Mallam Fatori near the Niger border, seizing weapons and killing the commanding officer. Events started to accelerate in March, especially in southern Borno, with attacks in Wajiroko, Kumshe and Katafila, among others.
Russia tightens hold on Sahel region and Africa’s west coast as US scrambles to retain disgruntled allies
Niger’s closer ties with Russia come a month after senior US officials visited Niger and expressed concern over the country’s potential relationships with Russia and Iran. Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Niger’s military, Colonel Amadou Abdramane, criticised the “condescending attitude” of the Americans for denying the Nigerien people the right to choose which countries they partner with.
