Posted on 08/08/2023 6:10:22 AM PDT by hardspunned
Niger is fully prepared for a military standoff with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) if the latter stages an intervention, Addo Iro, aide to Russia’s honorary consul in the West African nation, told Izvestia. According to him, a majority of Nigerien citizens support the military that recently ousted the president. Experts think that, even with the support of France, regional bloc ECOWAS is unlikely to launch a military offensive against Niger. However, they do see potential US involvement as a distinct possibility that could alter the situation.
According to Nikolay Shcherbakov, lead researcher at the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University and professor at the Higher School of Economics (HSE University), currently the possibility of ECOWAS’ intervention in Niger remains, high but it would be a zero-sum game for all participants. "The bloc will have to take measures in order not to lose face, but any potential military action would mean an armed conflict that nobody really needs. It would create a major disbalance in an already highly unstable region that is suffering from the actions of Jihadist groups," he told Vedomosti.
Yevgeny Korendyasov, lead researcher at the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, thinks that France will seek a solution only within the ECOWAS framework. "First of all, the time has passed for this type of intervention; second, ECOWAS and other such integrative unions are guided by a strict provision that all conflicts should be resolved peacefully," the expert told Izvestia.
French public law professor Karine Bechet-Golovko, who is a visiting professor at Moscow State University, expressed confidence that Paris is losing its position in Africa because it lacks a clear-cut strategy in the region. France is following in line with the EU’s overall foreign policy, while Brussels announced on August 1 that it was ready to support a military operation against Niger given a relevant request by ECOWAS. She noted that France does not have an independent policy with respect to Africa, and therefore it has been pulling out of everywhere - Mali, Burkina Faso, and now Niger. The expert told Izvestia that this is a sad sign because a country that lacks sovereignty cannot be an independent player in foreign policy.
However, according to Pavel Timofeyev, head of the European Political Research Department at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, there is still no final decision with regard to Niger. According to him, the French may resort to attempting a military intervention if it is backed by the US. "The Americans have no problems with getting troops there. Then, it would be an intervention by a coalition, not by a single country," he pointed out. However, the expert stressed that France is more likely to try to avoid any military interference because Paris is concerned over the reputational damage that it would incur should it fail. Thus far, it is using economic restrictions, such as suspending all financial aid to neighboring Burkina Faso, the expert told Izvestia.
Love TASS don’t you?
Wonder why?
How do you pronounce that? ☹️
I have a very simple view on this Niger thing. If their military wants to take over, great, let them. It’s none of our damn business what they do, as we do not need to get involved in yet another war.
I can see it now. The Uke war is hanging by threads, in that it could easily end in the next few months with no place else to fight a war. Niger would be the perfect opportunity to set up shop next.
Let’s get some policy analysis going here. What will most advance the causes of government by Constitutional republic and non-woke policies — the deposed government or the coup government?
You just can’t threaten African countries.
Nigeria said, “ok niger, we’re shutting off your electricity until you end the coup.”
17% of niger residents have electricity.
If Niger can somehow be construed by the media as a “humanitarian crisis”. Watch the “Beautiful-of-People-Hollyweird” & the Congressional Black Caucus demand a US intervention!
Don't know about Wagner, but it looks like the Burkino Fasi card has already been played...
Only 50% of the entire continent has electricity. That’s why the West’s move towards incredibly expensive global greenness is so popular in Africa. This will divide Africa 90% pro BRIChinaS and 10% still under control of Western imperialism.
I think the Russian Mack truck has left its garage and will be the African road hog for quite a while.
Without a doubt, the new, unencumbered by the West’s green, perverted strings attached. Africans have already done their own policy analysis and realized the only stable future access to cheap plentiful food and energy lies not with the West.
As opposed to the pedo-fascist crap you imbibe, why not?
Wait, I thought the Wagner group was utterly destroyed in Bakhmut? That’s what the Hoax News and the London Telegraph and the UK Daily Mail said.
Lots more truth than that laughable, proven utterly wrong, administration disinfo you’re constantly slinging around here. You know, your great Uke counteroffensive Cannae? That’s what your BS figures say.
By the way, what in the article are you saying is false? I can illustrate all your figures are crap. Tell me, what does Tass have wrong in this article?

Wagner already in Niger.
It’s early much more will play out!
For those better informed than I am...put your money on the Wagner Group or the French Foreign Legion?
Niger is making a fool of clown world. That can’t be allowed to happen.
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