The West African region may be headed for a global showdown with the arrival of Russian mercenary group, Wagner, in Mali en route to Niger Republic with soldiers laden with arms and ammunition following the military coup in the Republic.
According to an Al-Jazeera report, the group was sighted in Mali on their way to Niger following the announcement of the African Union (AU) on Tuesday.
AU had suspended Niger from the pan-African bloc until constitutional democracy is restored in the country following the military coup in July.
The decision to suspend the former French colony from AU membership was made by the Peace and Security Council of the bloc during its latest meeting that dwelt upon the situation in the western African country, AU said in a statement.
The council decided “to immediately suspend the participation of Niger from all activities of the AU and its organs and institutions until the effective restoration of constitutional order in the country.”
On its part, ECOWAS had rejected a three-year power transition proposal by the junta-controlled government of Niger Republic and even slammed sanctions on it.
Military government under the command of General Abdourahmane Tiani had said on Saturday, August 19, that the country will return to civilian rule within three years.
But while reacting to the proposal on Sunday, August 20, Abdel-Fatau Musah, the regional bloc commissioner for political affairs said they will no longer tolerate prolonged transition periods in the region.
News Band had reported on August 22 that the Russian mercenary leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, confirmed reports that Russia is getting ready for war in Niger Republic, as well as other African countries following a series of coup d’etats in the continent.
The mercenary leader appeared on record saying that he is recruiting for his private Army, the Wagner Group military company.
The recruitment comes ahead of the proposed invasion of the Niger military junta that ousted the elected president, Mohammed Baoum, by ECOWAS stand-by force goaded on by western powers.
Read the full story below:
Niger: Russia sets for war as mercenary leader Prigozhin mobilises for Wagner
Few days after the video pronouncement at a time he was believed to be in Congo, Prigozhin showed up in Mali in full military fatigue and announced the arrival of its team in Mali to assist the Mali military government to dislodge terrorists and “any other interest”.
Mali and Burkina Faso, also ruled by military junta, have both declared their backing for the Niger coupists.
The West African neighbours faulted the sanctions slammed on Niger by ECOWAS and the African Union following the military take-over and pledged to join Niger in resisting any form of force that might be used against them.
To give vent to their pledge, they have reportedly moved troops to Niamey as a backup to the Niger military.
News Band also reported on August 21 that Burkina Faso and Mali sent fighter jets to Niger Republic ahead of the looming military strike by ECOWAS stand-by force.
The move followed ECOWAS announcement that it has picked a D-day for its military invasion of Niger Republic to restore democratic order.
The two countries have been clear on their determination to fight with Niger in case of an invasion and have decided to match words with action by sending fighter jets to Niger.
“The recent coup in Niger was carried out in close cooperation with Russian special services and Private Military Company (PMC) consultants,” claimed Russian military blogger Mikhail Zvinchuk, a former press officer for Russia’s defence ministry.
The junta took power last month, overthrowing the government of President Mohamed Bazoum and keeping him under house arrest at the Presidential Palace in Niamey. Read more.
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