ECOWAS says it will blame Russia if Wagner gets involved in Niger

He Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the Economic Community of West African States (Cedeao), Abdel-Fatau Musah, said today that he will hold Russia if the private security group Wagner gets involved in the crisis in Niger after the coup d’état on July 26 that overthrew the Nigerian president, Mohamed Bazoum.

Musah assured that the cedeao “will hold Russia accountable diplomatically” by “any action by these private security groups that violates human rights or causes devastation” region of.

MORE INFORMATION | Russia used four hypersonic missiles in bombardment of western Ukraine

“Private security companies were involved in Sierra Leone, (…) in Liberia during those wars, long ago. And also recently, in global conflicts. The United States used them in Iraq and Afghanistan.”the commissioner said in statements to a Nigerian television station.

“These groups are not acceptable in Africa, even though they are here, and we are going to hold their home countries accountable for any violations”settled.

This week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the BBC that the Wagner group is “taking advantage” of the instability in Niger, although he added that he does not believe that Russia behind the recent coup.

Blinken made the remarks after speculation that the coup leaders received help from Russian mercenaries, with a presence in neighboring Mali.

“I believe that what happened, and what continues to happen in Niger, was not instigated by Russia nor by Wagner, but they tried to take advantage of it. Every place this Wagner group has gone has been followed by death, destruction and exploitation.Blinken said.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED | Russia launched its first mission to the moon in nearly 50 years

RussiaFor his part, he has denied his participation in the coup and has advocated for a resolution through “constitutional channels”, while the head of WagnerYevgueni Prigozhin supported the military coup, although he did not allude to his possible role in the coup plot.

It is estimated that Wagner It has thousands of fighters in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali, where it has lucrative business interests but also bolsters Russia’s diplomatic and economic relations.

The group’s mercenaries have been accused of human rights abuses in several African countries.

Rumors about a possible involvement of Moscow in the Niger coup increased after protesters organized in several Niger regional capitals in favor of the coup leaders chanted slogans calling for the French military withdrawal from the country and a rapprochement with Russia.

The coup in Niger was led on July 26 by the self-styled National Council for the Safeguarding of the Fatherland (CNSP), which announced the dismissal of President Bazoum and the suspension of the Constitution.

Niger Thus, it became the fourth West African country led by a military junta, after Mali, Guinea-Conakry and Burkina Faso, where coups d’état were also perpetrated between 2020 and 2022.

CHECK HERE | President of Belarus calls for resuming contacts with Poland

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.