The military leadership of Niger Republic has called for the assistance of Wagner Group, a Russian state-funded paramilitary organisation, amid the expiration of the deadline given by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the release and restoration of the country’s detained President, Mohamed Bazoum.
This comes as concerns about the regional organization possibly carrying out its threat to attack Niger still exist.
The ECOWAS decided to apply a broad range of sanctions on the Niger Republic in order to force a restoration of constitutional order in the nation during an emergency meeting held in Abuja on July 30, 2023.
Above all, ECOWAS issued a seven-day deadline for the putschers to comply with its resolution or risk potential military action from the West African regional group.
Nevertheless, according to a report by Al Jazeera, the coup plotters in Niger have contacted Wagner Group for support in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
according to a news outlet in Nigeria General Salifou Mody, the commander of the coup, made the request while visiting neighboring Mali and speaking with a Wagner representative.
Wassim Nasr, a senior research fellow at the Soufan Center and a journalist, confirmed the encounter to The Associated Press.
Additionally, a meeting between Wagner and the Niger general was verified by three Malian sources and a French ambassador.
According to Nasr, the private military business is taking the proposal into consideration. “They need [Wagner] because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power,” he added.
Goldenguy (
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