00:00 Russian flags waving outside the French embassy in Niger, demonstrating a desire for a new
00:07 regime. Experts warn of Moscow's growing influence in the Sahel region, in particular an alliance
00:13 with the Russian mercenary Wagner Group. After President Mohamed Bazoun was ousted by the
00:18 military coup last week, the future of the former French colony remains unclear, fragile
00:23 and open to exploitation.
00:26 Russia is looking at opportunities in the region. It's already very engaged in Mali
00:33 in partnership with the junta there. And although Russia, through its foreign minister, Mr.
00:41 Lavrov, has condemned the coup in Niger and asked for constitutional order to be returned,
00:49 and Russia also supported a Union Security Council statement to that effect last Friday,
00:56 the founding member of the Wagner mercenary group, Mr. Prashogun, has welcomed the coup,
01:02 saying it's a move against imperialism, neocolonialism, and offers his support to the putschists in
01:09 Niami.
01:10 ECOWAS, the West African regional group, has demanded the junta cede power before Sunday,
01:16 the 6th of August, or face extreme sanctions and possibly brute force. But analysts say
01:22 the Russian threat is just one part of the puzzle. Islamic extremists, as seen in neighboring
01:27 countries, are a bigger threat.
01:32 What is at stake is regional. Any political destabilization would help jihadists. And
01:40 Niger is a central spot for jihadism to use from either Mali or Burkina or even Libya.
01:53 Stability and peace under President Bazoun was seen as crucial for democracy to continue
01:57 in the African region and for the world as a whole. Niami has worked with Paris and other
02:04 European capitals to confront radical Islam and counter illicit form of migration.
02:10 Niger is a key ally for the whole Europeans involved in Sahel. You have Germany present,
02:17 Belgium, Italy. And what's interesting in Niger, it represents also what the European
02:24 Union wants to do with the African on these challenges.
02:30 [WHOOSH]
