/ world today news/ France lost influence in Niger in the midst of the Russia-Africa summit. When Vladimir Putin discussed plans for cooperation with the heads of state. The event did not pass without the founder of PMC “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin, and he did not particularly hide from the cameras. And although the Kremlin officially condemned the coup (it’s really bad to do that), Nigerians besieged the French embassy with Russian flags in their hands for good reason…
France is preparing a military operation in Niger to free the ousted president of the republic, Mohamed Bazoum, and bring the country back into its sphere of influence. Officially, Paris does not confirm this information. But in the hands of the new government in Niger is a document according to which France has been given permission to strike the presidential palace in order to free Bazum, who is there.
African countries are already waiting for a new armed conflict. At the same time, Burkina Faso and Mali have already said that they will not stand aside. Africa is once again on the brink of great change. Will Paris dare to embark on a military adventure? And what does PMC Wagner have to do with it?
The transitional governments of Burkina Faso and Mali (…) have warned that any military intervention against Niger would amount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali,– said in a statement.
Moreover, Burkina Faso and Mali warned of the “catastrophic consequences” of military intervention in Niger, which could “destabilize the entire region, as was the case with NATO’s unilateral intervention in Libya.”
The military coup
The military coup in Niger took place on July 26. Mohammed Bazum, who has been in power since 2021, was detained by his own presidential guard. The new president will be Abdurrahman Ciani. In his address to the nation, he stated that the coup was due to the accumulated problems in the country – corruption and lack of security.
By the way, General Chiani is an extremely interesting person. According to political scientist Sergey Markov, he is Orthodox by religion. It is said that a famous Russian singer, a relative of the Soviet ambassador in Niger, introduced Chiani to our faith 40 years ago. Whether this is true or not cannot be verified: Markov himself says that this is not public information.
However, the country is experiencing rapid changes: Niger’s borders are currently closed and a curfew is in place. The military ensures Bazoom’s safety. For now.
Meanwhile, ordinary people gathered around the French embassy with national and Russian flags. They demand the closing of the military bases and the withdrawal of the French from the country. A contingent of 1,500 French soldiers is currently stationed in Niger.
The interest of Paris
Of all the Western countries, Paris reacted most actively to the coup in Niger. And that’s understandable. Niger ranks seventh in the world in terms of uranium reserves and second in Africa in terms of its production. The French company Orano, which produces fuel for nuclear power plants, operates in the country.
Orano firmly stated that the company will not leave Niger. It seems that the coup did not affect his activities in the country. But already on July 31, the new government in Niger announced that it was stopping the export of gold and uranium to France. Not surprisingly, Macron called an emergency meeting of the Defense Council. After all, France’s nuclear power is up to 40% dependent on uranium supplies from Niger.
Paris itself does not confirm or deny the possibility of a military operation in the event of a worsening of the situation in Niger, prioritizing the safety of its citizens.
Our priority is the safety of our citizens and institutions, which according to international law cannot be subjected to violence.”– assured the French Foreign Ministry.
Roads lead to Wagner
According to a number of Western media, the coup d’état in Niger is closely related to the Malian military, which in turn has close contacts with PMC Wagner.
For a year and a half, France has been actively losing influence in African countries. This is Mali, and the Central African Republic, and Burkina Faso. “Musicians” are almost everywhere.
And while in distant Niger, the presidential guard arrested Mohamed Bazum, PMC founder Wagner Yevgeny Prigozhin was “shaking hands” with the leaders of African countries on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit. And now it does not seem accidental his recent statement that the outline of the next tasks of the “orchestra” is “clearly defined”. And apparently this contour coincides with the outline of Africa.
The Liberation of Africa
Political scientist Andrey Ivanov, in an interview with Tsargrad’s correspondent, noted that we are now witnessing the second wave of the liberation of African countries from French colonialism.
Formally, the former colonies of Paris gained independence in the 1960s and 1970s. Just like other countries on the continent. But former French colonies have two very important characteristics.
The first is that independence was given to many of them after much blood had been shed. We remember the genocide committed by the French military in Algeria. The entire experience of Nazi Germany in the occupied territories was used.
The second feature: Paris, even after the official withdrawal from the continent, decided to consolidate its influence by all rights or wrongs. French garrisons were stationed in the former colonies. But the main thing is that the currency of the former colonies is still issued by France. West African and Central African francs, the so-called CFA francs, still circulate in 14 countries.
Until recently, France controlled the entire economy of the former colonies and appointed governments. And if someone did not agree, they either directly sent troops or caused a coup d’état. And the result is very deplorable,– explained Andrey Ivanov.
For example, Great Britain left more or less peacefully. It could be said that she left the colonies to their own devices. Thanks to this, the former British colonies got a chance to develop. In some countries, average wages are now comparable to those in Eastern Europe. Universities are built, factories are opened, a political culture is formed.
But the former French colonies, due to the continued control of Paris, remain today the poorest countries in the world. France continues to drain resources, hinder the construction of their own politics, provoke constant chaos and civil wars.
Paris will not give Niger
Paris is unlikely to abandon its policy. Most likely he will pursue his line to the last. But the peoples of African countries no longer want to live like this. And they look to Russia with hope.
Andrey Ivanov drew attention to the fact that now a serious military force has appeared in Africa in the person of PMC Wagner. In fact, the advent of “musicians” made it possible to stop the old practice of constantly oppressing the weak by the strong.
The former colonizer there, as they say, is “a hero only among sheep”. The result is now available. Paris cooled down. He must adapt to the new circumstances. But he just won’t give in. The peoples of the former French colonies are only at the beginning of the road to gaining true independence. And here, the help of PMC “Wagner” is very significant”,– added Andrey Ivanov.
A scenario of armed conflict between PMC “Wagner” and the French military is also not excluded. But officials are likely to blame everything on local groups. And vice versa – even if there are no direct clashes, Paris can accuse PMC Wagner of any attacks.
Moscow won this round
The political observer, publicist Vladimir Golovashin commented on Tsargrad: Russia does not aspire to sole domination, but recognizes and supports the much-needed multipolarity of Africa. Pro-Russian sentiment is growing in the French-speaking countries of Arab Africa, which proves the success of our diplomacy and the real benefits of cooperation with the Russians.
Golovashin noted that the Russia-Africa summit is another confirmation, that “isolation of Russia” remains an unrealizable dream of the NATO countries. Almost all of Africa demonstrates a correct understanding of the world picture. In which Russia continues to occupy the place of the main patron of the anti-colonial struggle, inheriting the role of the USSR.
And to underestimate this continent is a big mistake.
It was Russia, with the help of PMC Wagner, who expelled France from neighboring Mali. Niger’s military authorities, along with the population supporting them, rely on Russia’s help – this is evident from the rallies where local residents wave dozens of Russian flags. And that’s no wonder– Kaza Vladimir Golovashin.
Russia is helping African countries gain hope for full independence and become truly prosperous regions. This is an extremely attractive image of the future for them. This round remained won by Moscow.
What of this?
A few weeks ago, the commander of PMC “Wagner”, Dmitry Utkin, made a call to the personnel of the “musicians”. And he said to the soldiers:
This is the beginning of the greatest work in the world that will be done very soon.
Apparently the Black Continent is also in the plans of this work. African countries are economically and politically linked to Europe due to a common colonial past. But recently, one after another, these countries have begun to reject the special relationship with the EU, giving preference to China and Russia. Niger was considered one of the last bastions of French influence. It seems that this page of history is now closed.
Translation: ES
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