Tags: Africa

Wagner’s finale? Prigozhin’s death marks Russian shift in strategy.

Wagner’s finale? Prigozhin’s death marks Russian shift in strategy. | View caption Hide caption His death most probably spells the end of the Kremlin’s reliance on freelance military groups, especially in Africa, in favor of direct state control. Earlier this week Mr. Prigozhin issued a militant video manifesto, purportedly shot in Africa, proclaiming that the…

Mercenary leader Prighozin may have been in fatal plane crash near Moscow

First Look Mercenary leader Prighozin may have been in fatal plane crash near Moscow The crash immediately raises suspicions since the fate of the founder of the Wagner private military company has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he mounted a mutiny earlier this year. | View caption Hide caption | Mercenary leader…

Following Xi’s lead? Russia takes closer look at Chinese ideology.

Cooperation Europe Following Xi’s lead? Russia takes closer look at Chinese ideology. | View caption Hide caption Is Russia’s future aligned with China? Many in Moscow think so, seeing the two countries’ visions aligning not just geopolitically, but also ideologically – though it may cost Russia considerably. “Interest toward our eastern partner is really great…

Prigozhin plane crash a Putin signal to Russia’s elite

It was both shocking and predictable. Two months to the day after Yevgeny Prigozhin launched a brief armed rebellion that threatened the Kremlin’s authority, the mercenary chief and some of his top lieutenants were listed aboard a plane that crashed with no survivors. The truth of Wednesday’s incident may never be widely known. But the…

Emerging economies group BRICS invites 6 new members, including Saudi Arabia and Iran

The BRICS economic coalition of emerging markets on Thursday extended membership invitations to six nations, South African President and current BRICS chair Cyril Ramaphosa said. The BRICS alliance — which is composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — is set to invite Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab…

Is Niger’s coup a sign that France’s influence in the Sahel is over?

Cooperation Europe Is Niger’s coup a sign that France’s influence in the Sahel is over? | View caption Hide caption Niger and France have been mutually dependent on each other for decades. But the coup in Niger has shaken their relationship, as well as French ties with the broader Sahel region. But just as France…

How Niger got here and what it could mean for West Africa’s future

The West African country of Niger has been thrown into turmoil following a coup that removed the nation’s democratically elected leader. In a strange twist of fate, Niger’s leader was ousted by members of the military presidential guard who were sworn to protect him but instead installed their general as the country’s new head of government. …

10 things you need to know today: July 30, 2023

1 Federal judge dismisses Trump lawsuit against CNN A federal judge on Friday dismissed a $475 million lawsuit against CNN from former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit claimed that the network had defamed the former president by referring to his false claims about the 2020 presidential election as a “big lie,” which Trump alleged created…

Niger general declares himself country’s new leader following coup

A Niger general who runs the country’s presidential guard declared himself the country’s new leader on Friday, two days after he led his soldiers in a coup d’etat that overthrew the nation’s president.  General Abdourahmane Tchiani made the announcement during a speech on Niger’s state television, calling himself president and saying the coup was necessary “to preserve our…