Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser, has been more forthright in his observations: "Our people helped the new leader [of Burkina Faso]. "This time around Russia is a lot more proactive in support for the coup, and that has led to speculation that Russia has played a co-ordinating role." The US organises a big annual counter-terrorism training exercise for countries in West Africa - though this year both Mali and Burkina Faso were absent from Operation Flintlock. One regional leader observed this week that Burkina Faso had been "on the brink of collapse" because of the insecurity. Furthermore, 2022 is set to be the deadliest year for both Burkina Faso and Mali since the insurgency began.

Source: Daily Nation October 11, 2022 05:53 UTC