Thus, the total number of military personnel will become 100,000 people, local media reported. The size of a new “Protection Force” is planned to increase by 2030. The recruitment will reportedly begin in early July.

“The aim is to prevent acts of sabotage, terrorist attacks, and all other security threats to sites of strategic interest […] to respond to pressing security needs,” Colonel-Major Moukaila Sofiani, Director of Strategic Studies at the Ministry of Defense, was quoted as saying.

Last Monday, Honorary Consul of Russia in Niger, Addo Iro, told Russian media that the African Republic is ready to host a full-fledged Russian military base on its territory to help fight terrorism.