Niger Junta Enlists Russian Mercenary Group Wagner for Defense
An analyst has reported that as the deadline approaches for Niger’s new military junta to either release the ousted president of the country or potentially face military intervention from the West African regional bloc, they have reached out to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for assistance.
The demand was made while General Salifou Mody, the leader of a coup, was on a trip to Mali. During this visit, he got in touch with Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, as stated by Nasr when speaking to The Associated Press.
Three sources from Mali and a diplomat from France affirmed the gathering, which was initially disclosed by France 24.
“They need [Wagner] because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,” he said, adding that the group is considering the request.
An unidentified military source from the Western region, who requested to remain anonymous due to lacking authorization to speak openly, informed the Associated Press that they have also received information about the junta seeking assistance from the Wagner Group in Mali.
Niger’s military leadership is confronted with a Sunday ultimatum from the regional organization ECOWAS, requiring the release and restoration of President Mohamed Bazoum, who was democratically elected. President Bazoum has characterized his situation as that of a captive.
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Defense leaders from ECOWAS nations completed an intervention strategy on Friday and encouraged armed forces to gather necessary assets. This came after a mediation group dispatched to Niger on Thursday was unable to access the city or hold a meeting with General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the leader of the junta.
Following his trip to Mali, which is currently under the rule of a supportive military group, Mody issued a cautionary statement against engaging in military interference. He promised that Niger would make every effort to prevent itself from experiencing a situation similar to the one in Libya. This information was conveyed by Niger’s state television on Friday.
Niger is viewed as the final dependable ally against terrorism for Western nations within a region that has experienced frequent instances of coups in recent times. Military groups have rebuffed their former colonizer, France, and shifted their allegiance towards Russia.
Wagner is active in several African nations, among them Mali, where its troops have been accused by human rights organizations of committing severe abuses resulting in fatalities.
One can’t say there’s a direct Russian implication in Niger’s coup, but “clearly, there’s an opportunistic attitude on the part of Russia, which tries to support destabilization efforts wherever it finds them,” French foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre told broadcaster BFM Friday.
In the days following the coup by Niger’s junta, inhabitants were seen displaying Russian flags on the streets.
The representative characterized Wagner as a formula for the disorder.
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Some residents rejected the junta’s claims.
“It’s all a sham,” said Amad Hassane Boubacar, who teaches at the University of Niamey.
“They oppose foreign interference to restore constitutional order and legality. But on the contrary, they are ready to make a pact with Wagner and Russia to undermine the constitutional order. … They are prepared for the country to go up in flames so that they can illegally maintain their position.”
France’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, stated on Saturday that the potential use of force at a regional level was believable, and she cautioned the individuals involved in the coup to treat this warning seriously.
“Coups are no longer appropriate. … It’s time to put an end to it,” she said.
The ministry stated that France strongly and resolutely backs the ECOWAS initiatives and urges the release of Bazoum and his government colleagues.
Niger’s military commanders are adopting a strategy similar to that of Mali and nearby Burkina Faso, both of which are also under the control of a military junta. However, they are advancing more swiftly in their efforts to solidify their authority. Nasr explained, “[Tchiani] has made his decision and is wholeheartedly pursuing it without unnecessary delays, due to the ongoing global attention and activity surrounding the situation.”
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He mentioned a concern about how the global community would respond if Wagner’s involvement occurs. In late 2021, after Wagner entered into Mali, the French military was swiftly removed following years of collaboration.
Nasr noted that the United States eventually classified Wagner as a terrorist group, and there’s a possibility that international allies could now respond more forcefully.
A lot is on the line in Niger, where substantial military aid from the United States and its allies has been provided to address the escalating jihadi menace in the area.
France maintains a presence of 1,500 troops in Niger, despite the claims of coup leaders that they have terminated security pacts with Paris. Additionally, the United States has around 1,100 military personnel stationed in the same region.
The nature of a regional intervention is not clear, including its potential commencement and the possibility of backing from Western military forces.
Niger’s military regime has urged the citizens to be vigilant for potential spies, while independently formed defense units have taken action during nighttime to observe vehicles and conduct patrols in the capital city.
“If the junta were to dig in its heels and rally the populace around the flag — possibly even arming civilian militias — the intervention could morph into a multifaceted counterinsurgency that ECOWAS would not be prepared to handle,” said a report by the Hudson Institute.
Niger Junta Enlists Russian Mercenary Group Wagner for Defense
