Niger Republic’s new military junta has reportedly sought help from the Russian mercenary group, Wagner, as the deadline approaches for the release of the country’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. The West African regional bloc known as ECOWAS had set a Sunday deadline for the junta to release and reinstate the democratically elected president, but the mediation team sent to Niger was not allowed to enter the city or meet with the junta leader.
General Salifou Mody, a coup leader from Niger, visited neighboring Mali, where he allegedly contacted someone from Wagner to seek their support. The group is considering the request, according to sources. The possibility of military intervention by ECOWAS is looming, as defense chiefs from member countries finalized an intervention plan and urged militaries to prepare resources.
Niger’s junta faces international pressure to restore constitutional order and legality, with concerns that their alliance with Wagner and Russia may further destabilize the region. The international community has invested significant resources in combating the growing jihadi threat in Niger, making the situation complex and sensitive. The potential involvement of Wagner in Niger’s affairs could elicit strong reactions from international partners. However, it remains uncertain how the situation will unfold and whether Western forces will support any regional intervention.
The junta’s actions have been compared to those of neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, where juntas have consolidated power. If the junta resists external pressure and rallies public support, the intervention could escalate into a multifaceted counterinsurgency, challenging ECOWAS’s preparedness to handle the situation. The situation in Niger is being closely monitored by the international community, given its geopolitical significance and implications for regional stability.
