US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has informed the BBC that Russia’s Wagner mercenary group is exploiting the instability in Niger. The country has been under junta rule after the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum almost two weeks ago. There are indications that the coup leaders may have sought assistance from Wagner, which is known to operate in neighboring Mali.
Blinken clarified that he doesn’t believe Russia or Wagner initiated the coup in Niger. However, he expressed concern about the group’s potential presence in the Sahel region, stating, “I think what happened, and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner, but… they tried to take advantage of it.”
He criticized Wagner, stating, “Every single place that this Wagner group has gone, death, destruction, and exploitation have followed. Insecurity has gone up, not down.” He emphasized the pattern of negative outcomes associated with the group’s actions.
Both the US and France maintain military bases in Niger to counteract jihadist groups. Wagner is believed to have a significant presence in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali, often associated with human rights abuses. Despite this, there are speculations that Niger’s army may have sought Wagner’s assistance due to the potential for military intervention.
Niger’s ousted President Bazoum expressed concerns about Wagner’s influence in Africa, cautioning against their involvement. Reports suggest Wagner fighters might have been deployed to Africa, although the details remain unclear. Wagner’s leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, extended support to the junta, while Niger’s neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso exhibited pro-Russian sentiment following their own coups.
Niger’s junta has rejected a delegation from West African regional bloc Ecowas, citing public anger over sanctions. Ecowas had set a deadline for the junta to step down, which has led to uncertainty about the region’s future course of action. Amid these developments, Niger’s junta appointed a new prime minister, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, following the coup.
