Amid world-shaking crises in the Middle East, Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the news from Niger might seem unimportant. Yes, American troops are making an ignominious withdrawal as Russian forces sashay into the same hosting U.S. personnel. And yes, until last July’s coup Niger was a poster child for American democracy efforts in Africa and the foundation for U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region. Today, the American-backed, democratically elected president is a prisoner in his official residence, and the coup leaders are working with Russia’s Wagner Group.
How much does Niger really matter? Though large (about twice the size of Texas), it’s landlocked and mostly desert. It has substantial uranium reserves and other minerals, including gold, but nothing that can’t be found elsewhere. With roughly 26 million people and a gross domestic product of about $15 billion, it is one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries. Since achieving nominal independence from France in 1960, Niger has lurched between ineffective intervals of civilian and military rule.