Alexander Fridman: Coup In Niger Directly Affects Belarus

Events in the African country could throw a spanner in the works for Minsk.

The events in Niger, where a military coup has taken place, have a direct impact on Belarus.

This is what Alexander Fridman, a historian and political scientist, wrote on his Telegram channel:

- President Mohamed Bazoum is the last pillar of the West in the Sahel. He has worked closely with Paris and Washington DC, and a delegation from Niger did not even go to the Russia-Africa summit. At the UN, Niger has consistently supported Ukraine. For France, the former colony of Niger is important because of its uranium mines.

Both the US and the EU are doing their best to prevent Bazoum's overthrow. If his regime does fall and power ends up in the hands of the military, as in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is likely to tilt towards Russia. In that case, some of the Wagner fighters from Belarus could be sent immediately to "explore" the African power.