The appointment of China’s new defence attaché to Niger signals a larger move by Beijing to fortify security in Africa, experts say.

Gyude Moore, a policy fellow at the Washington-based Centre for Global Development and a former -minister in Liberia, said the China-Niger oil deal "is not a departure from Chinese practice".

The withdrawal of U.S. and French military forces from Niger presents a unique opportunity for China to expand its military influence in the region.

The Chinese Embassy in Mali has reportedly refused to recognize passports issued by the Alliance of Sahel States, AES, a regional bloc comprising Mali, ...