Russia Transitions Military Presence in Sahel from Wagner Group to Africa Corps

Russian military personnel have entered Airbase 101 in Niamey, Niger, which currently hosts U.S. troops. This move follows the Nigerien junta's decision to expel U.S. forces from the country. The U.S. has nearly 1,000 military personnel in Niger, a key partner in the fight against insurgents in the region.

The shift in military presence in the Sahel region has significant implications for global security and the balance of power in Africa, as it may lead to a decrease in Western influence and an increase in Russian presence on the continent. This development could also have a ripple effect on counter-terrorism efforts in the region, potentially allowing jihadist groups to gain a foothold.

According to a senior U.S. defense official, the Russian forces are not mingling with U.S. troops and are using a separate hangar at the airbase. Nigerien authorities have informed the U.S. administration that around 60 Russian military personnel will be in Niger, but the number could not be verified. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated, "The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment... I don't see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection." article

The U.S. military has moved some of its forces from Airbase 101 to Airbase 201 in Agadez, Niger, after the coup. Airbase 201 was built by the U.S. at a cost of over $100 million and has been used to target Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliate fighters with armed drones since 2018.

Russia's military presence in Niger puts U.S. and Russian troops in close proximity, raising concerns about the fate of U.S. installations in the country following a withdrawal. The U.S. and its allies have been forced to move troops out of several African countries following coups that brought to power groups eager to distance themselves from Western governments. Russia is seeking to strengthen relations with African nations, pitching Moscow as a friendly country with no colonial baggage on the continent.

Why this matters: The Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary outfit founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has transitioned from its role in Ukraine to the Sahel region of Central Africa, where it is now known as Africa Corps. The group has been hired by several impoverished countries, mostly former French colonies, to battle Islamist terrorists and insurgent groups. Wagner troops have taken control of a Canadian-owned gold mine valued at over $1 billion in the Central African Republic and are expected to generate $100 million a year.

In Mali, Wagner mercenaries have been hired to help the government regain control of the northern region, which has been overrun by jihadists and Tuareg separatists. The Malian government, struggling against Islamist terrorists, turned to Wagner after booting out French troops and multilateral peacekeepers. Wagner's presence in Africa has given Russia political leverage across the continent, as well as new sources of wealth.

The Sahel region is seen as a key geopolitical faultline, with a pro-Western coastal West Africa and a Russophile Sahel. The U.S. is concerned about the potential expansion of jihadist influence in the region without Western-led counterinsurgency activity. As Russia develops ties with various African countries, including in the military sphere, the U.S. and its allies face a shifting landscape in their efforts to combat terrorism and maintain influence on the continent.

Key Takeaways

• Russian military personnel enter Airbase 101 in Niger, where US troops are stationed.
• Nigerien junta expels US forces, allowing Russian presence to increase in the region.
• Shift in military presence may decrease Western influence and increase Russian power in Africa.
• Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries operate in Sahel region, gaining political leverage and wealth.
• US and allies face a shifting landscape in combating terrorism and maintaining influence in Africa.