A plane carrying humanitarian aid from Russia has arrived in Niger, the country's security forces told Sputnik.
"Cooperation between Niger and Russia is not only in the fight against terrorism, but also in the humanitarian sphere. The people of Niger are facing an acute problem of food security. While other countries blockade our state, the ordinary population suffers. Russia has extended a helping hand and brought the necessary products; meanwhile, the Americans are packing their bags and preparing to leave Niger," the source added.
According to the source, Russia delivered a large cargo of food and necessities. The cargo was received by the authorities of Niger and reloaded onto their trucks. The transfer of humanitarian aid took place outside the military base where the US military is stationed.
The US State Department earlier announced Washington's plans to begin a dialogue with Niger's authorities on the withdrawal of the contingent from the country. This was reportedly the result of ongoing discussions between the US and the country's new authorities on future security cooperation after 2023. Shortly thereafter, the Pentagon announced that part of the US contingent would be temporarily withdrawn from Chad.
On April 12, Russian specialists arrived in Niger to train local forces in the fight against terrorism. Moscow and African countries are interested in defense cooperation and will continue to develop it, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on Pentagon reports that Russian forces are stationed in Niger at the same base as the US military.