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Blinken: Wagner is profiting from the coup in Niger

2023-08-08 15:23:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Blinken: Wagner is profiting from the coup in Niger

Russia's Wagner mercenary group is "taking advantage" of instability in Niger, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the BBC .

The country has been ruled by a junta since the ouster of President Mohamed Bazoum almost two weeks ago.

There have been suggestions that the coup leaders sought help from Wagner.

Blinken said he did not think Russia or Wagner instigated the Niger coup.

However, the US was concerned about the group " possibly emerging" in parts of the Sahel region, he told the BBC's Africa Focus programme.

" I think what happened and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or Wagner, but... they tried to take advantage of it. Every single place this Wagner group has gone, death, destruction and exploitation have followed," Blinken said.

Wagner is believed to have thousands of fighters in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where he has lucrative business interests but also strengthens Russia's diplomatic and economic ties. /CNA





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