Turkish delegation visits Niger to boost military ties

A Turkish delegation visited Niger on Wednesday looking to strengthen military cooperation with the regime that came to power in a coup nearly a year ago.

Niger has been run by a military regime since the July 2023 coup ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, who has been held as a prisoner ever since.

The junta, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has turned its back on former Western allies such as France and the United States to sidle towards Turkey and Russia.

Tiani on Wednesday received a Turkish delegation that included Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as well as the country's defence and energy ministers and head of intelligence.

"We discussed with Niger what can be done to improve the defence industry and intelligence as part of the fight against terrorism... the main source of instability in the Sahel," Fidan told reporters in Niamey.

"Peace, security and stability in Africa are among our priorities."

Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine said in a statement broadcast on state television that he welcomed "the dynamism of cooperation with Turkey, particularly in the field of defence".

Since the coup, Niamey has overhauled its international alliances, expelling French and US troops stationed in its territory to combat jihadists in the region.

Germany said it would end military cooperation with Niger and withdraw its remaining troops from the West African country by August 31, due to a lack of "trust" with the military regime.

France, Germany, the European Union and the United States have also suspended several aid programmes, calling on Niger to release Bazoum.

Turkey's Bayraktar combat drones, meanwhile, are used by the armies of Mali and Burkina Faso, two of Niamey's allies also governed by juntas.