Soldiers of Wagner's mercenaries group
Agency report
Preemptive of an imminent invasion of ECOWAS forces, the Nigerien government has reportedly signed a military contract with Russia’s Wagner mercenaries, according to a new report.
American journalist, Jackson Hinkle citing France 24 says Niger, who overthrew the elected president Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, has reached out to Wagner, a well known mercenary group known for its fighting in Syria, Ukraine, Africa and most recently the botched Russian coup.
He tweeted on Friday afternoon, August 4; “The new government of Niger has reportedly signed a contract with the Wagner Group – France 24.”
The report comes after reports emerged on Friday that president Tinubu had given the go ahead to Nigeria’s military to lead ECOWAS on an invasion of Niger.
After Bazoum was overthrown and detained by members of his own guard. General Abdourahmane Tchiani, the former commander of Bazoum’s guard, announced two days later on state-run TV that he had assumed power.
Media outlets have reported that thousands of protesters who favored the coup took to the streets of Niger’s capital city, Niamey, over the weekend. Many carried Russian flags and chanted messages of support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But Moscow has distanced itself from the coup. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last week that the Kremlin hoped for the “rapid release” of Bazoum. On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov furthered that sentiment by calling for “restraint on all sides.”
However, the Wagner Group, which has contracts in countries such as the Central African Republic and Mali, could look to capitalize on the turmoil in Niger and increase their presence in Africa.
Last week Saturday, Reuters reported that a message posted on Telegram, believed to be from Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, praised the coup. Reuters could not confirm it was Prigozhin but said the “speaker had the same distinctive intonation with the mercenary leader.
No war yet
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has insisted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot embark on any operation in any ECOWAS member state, without approval from the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
It noted that a military option in the crisis caused by the coup d’etat in Niger Republic that ousted President Mohammed Bazoum would be the last resort.
A statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, on Thursday, explained that the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government were exploring other options.
“The attention of the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been drawn to an online report stating that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) is assembling its forces for military action in the Republic of Niger.
“The AFN is yet to receive any order from the appropriate authority to commence military action, against the military junta in Niger,” the statement read in part.
It added: “Military option was the last option to be taken in case every other option fails to reverse the situation and return the Government of Republic of Niger to constitutional order.”
The political tension began July 28, after the head of Niger’s presidential guard, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, overthrew Bazoum and declared himself head of state.
ECOWAS, under the new leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, has vowed to go hard on the coup plotters and has slammed heavy sanctions on Niger.
However, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso have now taken sides with the Niger military junta, warning against any military action.
France reacts to severance of bilateral ties by Niger junta
The French foreign ministry has issued a response to the reported move by Niger Republic’s military junta to sever ties with France and other nations. France declared that the decision made by the junta to terminate bilateral military agreements is not valid, asserting that only a “legitimate” governing authority possesses the authority to undertake such actions. According to an AFP report, the French foreign ministry emphasized that the “legal framework of France’s defence agreement with Niger is based on accords that were signed with the legitimate Nigerien authorities.”Furthermore, the Nigerien ambassador to France has reiterated her commitment to her position, emphasizing that it can only be revoked by detained President Mohamed Bazoum, who originally appointed her. Aichatou Boulama Kane, who assumed her role as ambassador to France in June 2022, rejected the directive from the coup leaders to terminate her mandate, along with the mandates of ambassadors to Nigeria, Togo, and the United States.
In a telephone interview with AFP, Ambassador Kane asserted, “I am still the ambassador of legitimate President Mohamed Bazoum, and I continue to regard myself as such. The decision was made by authorities without legitimacy. I represent Niger as its ambassador in France.”
Bode George warns President Tinubu to be cautious
The former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has encouraged President Bola Tinubu to rethink his plans for a military intervention in Niger Republic. After failing to resolve the situation through mediation talks following the military takeover in Niger, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government Chairman President Tinubu has requested permission from the National Assembly to use force there.
Chief Bode George, in an open letter to President Tinubu published on Friday by Vanguard, warned him against deploying Nigerian military to Niger under the ECOWAS banner to invade the country. He stressed that Tinubu, as president of Nigeria, already has a great deal of responsibility at home.
He remarked, “When you have a crisis within, you solve it first before going international with a ‘Big Brother’ posture.” There is currently no electricity, no currency, no food, and no means to acquire fuel in Nigeria. People in Nigeria are going through a lot and are mentally stuck. Therefore, I am uncertain as to the results that might result from sending our entire force to the Niger Republic.
You may recall that back when our economy was doing well, Nigeria almost single-handedly funded military activities for ECOMOG. A full-scale military campaign in Niger Republic raises the question, “Which economy are we going to use to finance it, given that Mali and Burkina Faso have threatened to take sides with Niger Republic?”
FFK wants swift, deadly and devastating response if Niger attacks
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has said Nigeria would respond swiftly if military forces from Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali attacked Nigeria.
Reacting to threats emerging from Niger, Fani-Kayode in a tweet on Friday said though he does not want war, Nigeriens soldiers should not take Nigerians for granted.
He wrote, “I do not want a war and I do not believe that we should initiate hostilities by invading or deploying troops to Niger Republic unless it is absolutely necessary.
However, if Niger, Burkina Faso and/or Mali attack Nigeria or any of our ECOWAS allies for any reason whatsoever, or if they deploy their forces on even one inch of our soil, our response must be swift, shocking, deadly and devastating.
“We must kick them out, occupy their Southern territories, take their capital, Niamey, topple their military government, and re-establish democracy. If a puppy nibbles at the toes of a lion, it must be taught the lesson of its life lest it forget that it is nothing but a dog”.
Credit: Opera News, Dailypost
About Author
