US’ Blinken Warns On Russia’s Wagner Taking Advantage In Niger

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned Russia’s Wagner mercenaries against exploiting instability in coup-torn Niger, whose neighbor Mali has become a Moscow partner.

Blinken told the BBC on Tuesday that he doubted Wagner — which staged a secret mutiny against President Vladimir Putin in June — organized the Nigerien military’s July 26 removal of the elected president, Western friend Mohamed Bazoum.

“I think what happened and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner,” Blinken said in the interview Monday, according to a transcript released by the State Department.

“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 — that wouldn’t be good,” he said.

“Every single place that this group, Wagner Group, has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed.”

Niger’s National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane (C), General Mohamed Toumba (C-L) and Colonel Ousmane Abarchi (R) are greeted by supporters upon their arrival at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in Niamey Niger on August 6, 2023.

 

Wagner has collaborated with African countries like as Mali and the Central African Republic, prompting widespread claims of human rights violations from rights groups and Western governments.

Military-run During the Ukraine war, in which Wagner has fought fiercely, Mali has been the uncommon country to tilt diplomatically toward Russia.

Mali and Burkina Faso, whose military chiefs have also been linked to Wagner, have despatched envoys to Niger in support of the coup leaders.

With the withdrawal of French and other foreign soldiers from Mali, Niger has become the major base for US and French anti-jihadist operations in the Sahel.

Blinken’s acting deputy, Victoria Nuland, visited Niger on Monday and said the military leadership understood the “risks” of partnering with Wagner.

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