Officials in the United States are beginning to acknowledge that their policy of pressuring war-torn nations like Niger and other African nations to sever their connections with Moscow and adopt democratic values is failing.
According to two individuals with knowledge of the situation, the Biden administration has had to reevaluate its strategy for keeping its partners in unstable regions of Africa in light of the recent breakdown in relations with Niger, where American forces are scheduled to evacuate as Russian fighters arrive. Anonymity was offered to both officials so they could discuss delicate diplomatic discussions.
Mali, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, and other nations on the continent have looked to Russia for security cooperation. According to one of the officials, Russian paramilitary fighters have now deployed in Niger, isolating the United States and compelling the removal of 1,100 American military personnel within the next few months.
Although Niamey’s relationship with Iran has drawn criticism from Washington, U.S. officials are especially concerned about conducting business in a nation whose government has growing military links to Russia.
Although a departure date has not been announced, the military junta in March demanded the termination of the agreement governing the US military’s stay in the nation.
America will lose access to a vital military base it depends on if American soldiers withdraw.
Cameron Hudson, a former CIA intelligence officer for Africa, stated of nations having coup governments in Africa, “When all of these countries kicked out the French and turned inward, we then tried to pivot to become the peacemaker in the hopes that we could keep our presence there.” It’s obvious that none of that is working. We have now left. Russia has entered now.
When contacted for comment, the National Security Council remained silent.
According to US law, Washington is not allowed to give money to coup regimes like the one in Niger. However, in an attempt to eventually restore military and other financial support, American leaders have made an effort to retain diplomatic ties with those nations, many of which have abundant natural resources.
The Biden administration has been attempting to negotiate schedules and roadmaps for democratic elections while engaging coup rulers.
However, African leaders have largely rejected suggestions that their nations ought to embrace democracy more fully, even while they have told diplomats and other American officials that they want to keep their links with Washington.
According to a third U.S. source, “most of these governments really don’t want to be told what to do.”
These rejections, which have also occurred in Niger, have put American officials to the test as they look for ways to maintain Washington’s long-standing alliances with nations that are rich in natural resources.
According to a DOD officer, behind closed doors, authorities are beginning to question whether it would be prudent to fully pull out in democratically struggling nations.
When this is done, “it does leave a huge gap for other less scrupulous competitors” to pounce, like Beijing or Moscow.
The official stated, “The fear is that we’re going to walk away and Russia will come in.” “If we’re leaving them when they’re most vulnerable, are we really being a good partner?”
The United States has made an effort to maximize its limited possibilities thus far.
In an attempt to dissuade nations from forging alliances with Moscow, their most recent tactic has been to highlight the devastation caused by Russian mercenaries across the continent, particularly their flagrant violations of human rights.
Russian participation Participation
According to the senior U.S. official, “the Russians have a real advantage over the United States because they have weapons and they sell weapons, including helicopters.” They also market small arms. Africa faces several security issues, and its people require firearms.
Russia has taken advantage of the situation, enlisting the aid of fighters affiliated with the ministry of defense and mercenaries to help maintain security. For instance, human rights organizations claim that Russian military personnel from the elite Wagner paramilitary team have been assisting government forces in Mali in conducting raids and strikes that have resulted in the deaths of numerous people in recent months.
The Russian ministry of defense is currently leading a new security mission in Niger for the first time, sending paramilitary fighters to assist in training the country’s armed forces.
Numerous former workers of his have joined new and existing private security groups that are under the supervision of Moscow’s military and intelligence services, following his attempt to replace the country’s military authorities last summer and his subsequent death.
The exact timeline for the withdrawal of American forces from Niger and the possibility of a diplomatic solution are yet unknown. According to a top U.S. official, it’s possible that the country continues to assist in the military’s training in Niger.
The Department of Defense is sending a small delegation to take part in the talks, according to Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, who announced on Monday that “the beginning of discussions between the U.S. and Niger for the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country” had taken place. He provided no timeline for the delegation to arrive or for U.S. troops to leave the country.
