Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, invited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, pays a working visit to Türkiye. President Erdoğan accepted Premier Zeine on the first day of his visit to discuss bilateral relations between Türkiye and Niger.
Premier Zeine’s visit marks a new milestone in bilateral relations. The military of Niger staged a coup and gained control of the country in July of 2023. France and the United States were Niger’s primary security allies until the coup. However, the organisers of the coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, admitted that they were hostile toward France, the country’s former colonial master, and they issued an order for the French soldiers to withdraw from the country. Zeine’s visit to Turkiye is one of few foreign visits.
Premier visited ASELSAN facilities today in Ankara. The president of the Defence Industry Agency (SSB), Professor Haluk Görgün, and ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol) accompanied him.
SSB President Görgün wrote on his Twitter account, “We presented them with information about our technologies. We will continue to contribute to the security and welfare of the countries in the region through cooperation models in the African region, which is of profound importance for our country. We held meetings between delegations about our defence Industry. Our joint visits, where we will showcase the high talents of our sector, will continue tomorrow.”
Niger’s prime minister Zeine’s visit to Turkiye is critical for bilateral relations. Niger has announced its withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) along with Mali and Burkina Faso. The three nations accused the regional bloc of becoming a threat to member states. Ecowas threatened Niger to use force to reinstate the deposed president following the coup in the summer of 2023.
