Iran has expressed its willingness to offer assistance to Niger in overcoming international sanctions, as part of its efforts to strengthen ties with African nations. First vice-president of Iran, Mohammad Mokhber, condemned the “cruel sanctions imposed by the domination system” and stated that Iran is prepared to share its experiences in dealing with sanctions with Niger.
Iran has been subject to heavy international sanctions since the Islamic revolution in 1979, and also faces crippling U.S. sanctions following the withdrawal of the U.S. from the nuclear deal in 2018. Despite this, Iran has found ways to circumvent some of the sanctions.
Niger, on the other hand, is currently facing heavy economic and financial sanctions from the Economic Community of West African States following a military coup in July 2023 that overthrew the elected President Mohamed Bazoum. In a meeting between Iranian and Nigerien officials, Mokhber praised Niger’s success in establishing an independent government during the coup.
Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, expressed the country’s intention to revitalize cooperation with Iran, as both countries signed several agreements in areas such as energy, health, and finance.
Iran has been vocal in its support for African countries that have experienced political upheaval, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. President Ebrahim Raisi has praised the resistance of African countries in the face of “hegemonic European policies and colonialism.”
In addition to Iran’s efforts to strengthen ties with African nations, Niger’s Prime Minister also visited Moscow to intensify military cooperation, particularly in battling jihadist groups. This is part of a broader trend of countries like Iran, Russia, and Turkey seeking to bolster their influence in Africa in an effort to reduce their isolation and offset the impact of sanctions. Iran’s president, Raisi, has also visited Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe in 2023 as part of these efforts.
