Mali
Mali's military leader, Assimi Goita, revealed on Tuesday that he recently held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the current situation in Niger.
Niger has experienced a coup by a junta, raising concerns in the international community.
In a message shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Goita stated that Putin emphasized the significance of a peaceful resolution to ensure stability in the Sahel region.
Western nations are apprehensive that Niger might follow the path of Mali, where a previous coup led to the involvement of Russian Wagner group mercenaries in counter-insurgency efforts.
Putin has urged the restoration of constitutional order in Niger. On the other hand, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner group, expressed support for the coup. Interestingly, there has been a notable surge in pro-Russian sentiment in Niger since the coup, evident in rallies where junta supporters waved Russian flags.
01:04
Putin congratulates Trump, signals openness to dialogue over U.S.-Russia relations
Go to video
UK targets Russian mercenaries and military suppliers with new sanctions
Go to video
UK identifies 4 cases of new mpox variant, the first cluster outside Africa
Go to video
Australia to ban social media usage for children under 16
Go to video
Backlash as Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo unveils self-honoring statue
Go to video
RSF urges Sahel States to sign declaration protecting journalists’ right to information