A key US ally in West Africa, Niger, is increasingly turning towards Russia and becoming another point of support for Moscow in the region, a US television channel reported on Monday.
The US military high command is watching Niger's turn toward Russia with concern, the media reported.
This is evidenced by the recent breakdown of the military cooperation agreement between Niamey and Washington, which allowed Pentagon military and civilian personnel to remain on the territory of the African country, the US media noted.
A military source told the channel that US officials are concerned that by increasing its presence in Niger, Moscow has created "another foothold" in the Sahara-Sahel region, where the West is losing influence.
On December 4, 2023, Niger's defense minister, General Salifou Modi, and the deputy head of the Russian military, Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening defense cooperation.