 Niger's new military junta has pleaded for help from mercenary group Wagner. The deadline nears for rebels to release the country's ousted president or face possible miliary intervention by the West African regional bloc. Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, told The Associated Press of the junta's new plans to turn to Russia for support. Wagner launched a short-lived rebellion of their own last month, when they marched on Moscow. Their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was later exiled to Belarus after calling off the march to avoid 'further bloodshed'. The request from Niger came during a visit by a coup leader, Gen. Salifou Mody, to neighboring Mali, where he made contact with someone from Wagner. He said three Malian sources and a French diplomat confirmed the meeting first reported by France 24. Mr Nasr saoid: 'They need (Wagner) because they will become their guarantee to hold onto power.' Fighters of Wagner private mercenary group have been deployed to Africa on numerous occasions (Picture: Reuters) Evacuations took place after the coup toppled Niger's rulers (Picture: Getty Images) Wagner is said to be considering the request. Troops from the mercenary group have been deployed across several conflict areas in Africa in recent years. A Western military official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, told the AP they have also heard reports that the junta asked for help from Wagner in Mali. Niger's junta faces a Sunday deadline set by the regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, to release and reinstate the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. He has described himself as a hostage following the rebellion. Wagner operates in a handful of African countries, including Mali, where human rights groups have accused its forces of deadly abuses. But, currently, it isn't possible to say the Kre){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Niger’s new military junta has pleaded for help from mercenary group Wagner.
The deadline nears for rebels to release the country’s ousted president or face possible miliary intervention by the West African regional bloc.
Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, told The Associated Press of the junta’s new plans to turn to Russia for support.
Wagner launched a short-lived rebellion of their own last month, when they marched on Moscow.