Russian Wagner Taking Advantage In Niger, Blinken Warns
Russian Wagner Taking Advantage In Niger, Blinken Warns
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!American Secretary of State Antony Blinken has issued a warning against Russian Wagner mercenaries exploiting unrest in coup-stricken Niger, whose neighbor Mali has sided with Moscow.
Blinken questioned whether Wagner, which in June conducted a covert uprising against President Vladimir Putin, was behind the Nigerien military’s July 26 overthrow of the country’s elected president, Western friend Mohamed Bazoum.
According to a copy of the conversation made available by the State Department on Monday, Blinken added, “I think what happened and what is still happening in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner.”
It wouldn’t be good, he continued, “but to the extent that they try to take advantage of it — and we see a repeat of what’s happened in other countries, where they’ve brought nothing but bad things in their wake.”
“Death, destruction, and exploitation have followed this group, the Wagner Group, everywhere they have gone.”
Wagner has collaborated with countries in Africa like Mali and the Central African Republic, which has prompted several claims of abuse from rights organizations and Western governments.
Military-run In the midst of the merciless battle Wagner has waged in Ukraine, Mali has become one of the uncommon nations to change its diplomatic stance in favor of Russia.
In support of the coup leaders, Mali and Burkina Faso, whose military officers have also been implicated in Wagner’s activities, sent envoys to Niger.
With the withdrawal of French and other foreign soldiers from Mali, Niger has become the main base for US and French anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel.
When Blinken’s temporary replacement Victoria Nuland visited Niger on Monday, she stated that the military command was aware of the “risks” associated with working with Wagner.
