Jihadist and Nuclear Threat As African Country Tells US to Leave Amid Russian and Iranian Gains

The Biden administration is involved in high-stakes talks to try and persuade Niger to allow 1,000 U.S. military personnel and contractors to keep operating a $110 million anti-terror drone base in the West African country.

This is against a backdrop of reports that U.S. military influence is being replaced by Russia and worrying allegations that Iran is trying to buy uranium from Nigerien mines.

Already, the Reaper drones based at Airport 201 have not been flying missions targeting both Islamic State and al Qaeda terrorists in the region since the government of Niger was overthrown by a military coup last July.

Analysts are concerned that should the U.S. pull out of Niger, this could permit jihadist forces to surge through West Africa and lead to the further expansion of Russian influence in Africa.

“What we are seeing in Niger is but one of the numerous examples of the curtains closing on American influence and Western influence on the African continent,” Jasmine Opperman told American media.

Opperman, an African-based security consultant specializing in extremism, continued, “We can see this in Central Africa. We see this in Southern Africa, and with that, Russia will use each and every opportunity to expand its influence.” (FN / VFI News)

“God, we pray that You protect the world from nuclear threats and that You cancel all malicious plans in the name of Yeshua. We ask for Your guidance and for strong international leaders who have the civilians’ best interests in mind.”