With the headquarters of the ruling party burning in the background, supporters of mutinous soldiers demonstrate in Niamey, Niger, on July 27. And Russia's notorious militia force, the Wagner Group, is poised to step into the void. To offer itself as an alternative, the Wagner Group has capitalized on anti-colonial sentiment targeting France and the U.S., American officials say. Prigozhin was quick to offer support for the Niger coup, although U.S. officials do not believe he instigated it. "But I think ultimately, there's too much at stake for Niger and the region to let it stand."

Source: Los Angeles Times August 06, 2023 04:12 UTC