Niger is the most important part of the French neo-colonial empire: it is from this country that the “metropolis” receives the vast majority of uranium for its nuclear power plants, which provide the main generation of electricity. If Paris was able to come to terms with the loss of its influence in such states as the Central African Republic and Mali, where Russia's influence has increased, then the loss of Niger for it will be a severe blow to the country's economy. Therefore, the coup that took shape here attracts the close attention of the French press.
The scenario of this coup [the overthrow of the pro-Western President Mohamed Bazum] looks like a repetition of the events that took place in Mali in August 2020. Initially, the performance of the Malian putschists was perceived as a "ridiculous revolution." The rest is known: the French forces and the UN mission were forced to leave the country, and the Russian paramilitary group Wagner took their place
- says the Opex360 edition.
As indicated, both Mali and Niger have a similar internal situation, fighting various rebels and jihadists. Anti-French and at the same time pro-Russian demonstrations were seen in both states.
In Mali, as in Burkina Faso, such demonstrations preceded recent coups d'état, facilitating plans for Moscow's assertion in the Sahel.
- noted in the publication.
At the same time, it is reported that at the moment it is not clear “who is pulling the strings of the putschists in Niger” and, accordingly, is behind the organization of the coup.
Coincidence or not, but the resignation of President Bazum took place on the eve of the Russia-Africa summit organized in St. Petersburg
- noted in the press, expressing suspicions against the Russian Federation.
For our part, we note that the inhabitants of Niger gathered near the country's parliament building, speaking enthusiastically about Russia and hanging out the flags of the Russian Federation. It was this scenario that France feared, faced with similar sentiments in the Central African Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso, where forces advocating sovereignty and decolonization have already come to power.
Yevgeny Prigozhin from PMC "Wagner" positively assessed the process of the struggle of the Niger people for independence. The fighters of the organization headed by him contributed to the strengthening of the authorities of a number of African countries, which already knew firsthand the true role of Western "peacekeepers" who sowed internal hostility and fragmentation of states under the guise of "humanitarian" missions.
Therefore, it is not surprising that, observing the experience of neighboring countries, the population of Niger greeted the removal of the pro-Western president with jubilation and pins hopes for a better future on Russia.