Russia’s influence in Niger continues to deepen, as evidenced by a combination of humanitarian assistance, major infrastructure projects, and military collaboration.
- Russia’s influence in Niger is deepening through humanitarian assistance, major infrastructure projects, and military collaboration.
- The NGO ‘Ensemble Main dans la Main Niger-Russie’ has made a large grant to the National Reference Center for Obstetric Fistula in Niamey.
- Niger alongside Mali, and Burkina Faso signed a historic agreement with Russia to buy telecommunications and remote sensing satellites.
The NGO “Ensemble Main dans la Main Niger-Russie” (Together Hand in Hand Niger-Russia) has made a large grant to the National Reference Center for Obstetric Fistula in Niamey.
The contribution, which includes drugs, food supplies, blankets, and vaccinations, is intended to improve care for women suffering from obstetric fistulas, a medical ailment that disproportionately affects women in impoverished and neglected communities.
These women frequently endure social exclusion and physical anguish as a result of insufficient prenatal care and a lack of access to urgent surgical interventions.
Amadou Tidjani Maman, a spokesperson of the NGO, told Sputnik Africa that the endeavor demonstrates the organization’s dedication to assisting poor communities and improving healthcare services.
While the gesture appears to be merely charitable, it also represents Russia’s wider effort to win hearts and minds throughout the Sahel.
Obstetric Fistulas
Obstetric fistulas is a dangerous medical disease that develops as a result of protracted or obstructed labor in the absence of early medical intervention, such as a cesarean section.
An obstetric fistula is an abnormal hole that develops between a woman’s birth canal and either the bladder or the rectum.
This gap allows uncontrollable pee or feces leaking into the vagina, resulting in discomfort, infection, and significant mental and social misery.
It commonly occurs when a woman goes through lengthy, obstructed labor, which can last several days. It also occurs when the baby’s head exerts pressure on the surrounding tissue, cutting off blood flow.
Russia and Niger’s budding relationship
Beyond humanitarian initiatives, Niger’s collaboration with Russia has expanded into high technology and defense.
In September 2024, Niger, together with neighboring Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members Mali and Burkina Faso, inked a historic agreement with Russia to aquire telecommunications and remote sensing satellites.
This accord came amid rising regional insecurity, most notably following an Islamist attack on Bamako, Mali’s airport – a highly strategic target far from regular insurgent strongholds.
The satellite project is being hailed by junta-led governments as a major step in fortifying their collective security posture.
In June 2024, news surfaced that Russia was in talks with Niger to aquire the West African country’s uranium asset, which at the time was owned by a French business.
According to a Western diplomat, the talks were centered on mining permits, implying Moscow’s long-term interest in obtaining a share of Niger’s uranium, a resource critical to France.
The European country reportedly sources up to 15% of its uranium from Niger to fuel nuclear reactors that generate 65% of the country’s electricity.
Niger’s expanding military alliance with Russia is also evident. In April 2024, Russia sent military instructors and staff to Niger to train its troops and build air defense systems.
The deployment of Russian soldier came shortly after 1000 American troops were expelled from Niger.
