The expert assessed the possibility of Russia supporting the rebels who seized power in Niger

“We can send weapons and Wagner”

As the number of people taking to the streets under Russian tricolors in the distant West African country, which has just survived a coup d’état, is multiplying, the feeling in Russia is growing that “Nigernash”. But then the question arises: what do we do with this happiness? And is it happiness at all? Sergei Markov, director of the Institute for Political Studies, shared his thoughts on this topic with us.

– Sergey Alexandrovich, to the question whether we need Africa, the answer seems to have been received, the answer is positive. How much do we need Niger? And what should we do if the people who seized power there ask us for help?

“I don’t think we’ll have much opportunity to help. We can send weapons and Wagner there. But it can really help them. See: Wagner helped create stronger security structures in the Central African Republic, in Burkina Faso, in Mali. In Niger, too, we can help build strong security structures. Not to fight there ourselves, but to teach them to fight, to teach them discipline. Well, maybe sometimes throw a little drones. Maybe not even throw your own, but Chinese ones. Better yet, reach an agreement with the Chinese that together we will help Niger and develop cooperation with it.

– Enough, do you think there will be such assistance?

– Nobody knows for sure. No one knows how strong the Niger army is. But as practice has shown, in the Central African Republic, in Mali, in Burkina Faso, it turned out to be enough. There remains stability, despite the fact that the French are walking around and snapping their teeth, so to speak. The French do nothing.

– Is the game worth the candle at all? Are these additional opportunities for Russia or an additional headache?

– The French are in pain because of Niger today. What is happening there is a blow to France, which gets 40 percent of its uranium from Niger. And most of the electricity in France, 70 percent, is generated at nuclear power plants. France is our enemy, and in the world now only strength is respected. If we show strength, it will be right and good.