Africa’s Sahel region risks falling to Russia, Bezoum warns

The ousted President of Niger Republic, Mohamed Bazoum has lamented that the Sahel Region may fall to Russia and called for an end of the coup that removed him from office.

In a column in The Washington Post, Bazoum said “In Africa’s troubled Sahel region, Niger stands as the last bastion of respect for human rights amid the authoritarian movements that have overtaken some of our neighbours.

“The entire Sahel region could fall to Russian influence via the Wagner Group, whose brutal terrorism has been on full display in Ukraine.”

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Bazoum noted that terrorist movements like Boko Haram “will surely take advantage of Niger’s instability, using the country as a staging ground to attack neighbouring countries and undermine peace, safety and freedom around the world.

Describing himself as a hostage, Bazoum said he is part of the hundred Nigeriens illegally imprisoned by the junta.

He called on “the US government and the entire international community to help restore the country’s constitutional order.

Bazoum’s government was ousted by his presidential guard on July 26.

However, the former president wrote: “I write this as a hostage.

“Niger is under attack from a military junta… and I am just one of the hundreds of citizens who have been arbitrarily and illegally imprisoned. This coup must end, and the junta must free everyone they have unlawfully arrested.