Niger breaks with Russia and Turkey, seeks new intelligence allies
Niger ended intelligence cooperation with Russia and Turkey. Even Africa doesn't want Russian equipment.
Niger, under the military regime that emerged and is mainly maintained due to Russian support, unexpectedly ended its intelligence cooperation with Russia and Turkey. According to the Military Africa website, this decision, made under pressure, highlights serious security issues and internal divisions in the country.
Despite cutting ties with Russia on intelligence matters, Niger's security strategy remains linked with Moscow. Recently, Niger joined Mali and Burkina Faso in an agreement with the Russian space agency Roscosmos to purchase satellite services for telecommunications and surveillance. This aims to strengthen national security and monitor the borders of the three countries. Outside of China, the junta has virtually no other alternatives.
This duality indicates a broader, complex approach where the junta balances internal challenges with commitments to the Sahel States Alliance. This pact, created in 2023 by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, aims to deepen military cooperation between these internationally isolated states.
Equipment problems, including those from Russia
The main reason for terminating the agreements was the unsatisfactory quality of equipment and technicians provided by Russia and Turkey, especially in telephone conversation interception. In response to these deficiencies, Niger turned to a Moroccan company specializing in digital intelligence.
However, it was revealed that the Moroccan company has a French subcontractor, which is unacceptable for Niger due to its strained relations with Paris. Consequently, the military junta ordered the immediate dismantling of the new system, leaving Niger without robust intelligence frameworks.
Temporary security measures
Effective population surveillance is essential for any authoritarian regime, and without it, it won't last long. For this reason, the Niger military junta is trying to compensate for equipment shortages with the Presidential Guard. They have begun discreet night patrols in key parts of Niamey's capital.
Officers in civilian clothes, moving on foot and motorcycles, monitor key locations such as the roundabout near the hospital, the Ministry of Justice, the Yantala district, the Congress Palace, and the embassy zone from the north until 6:00 AM Eastern Time.
The patrols are seen as a temporary solution, reflecting Niger's weakened internal security under the rule of the military junta, known as the CNSP. Additionally, reports are emerging of growing opposition among parts of the military to the government in Niamey, threatening the regime's stability.
