The Kremlin expressed concern on Monday over the situation in Niger, whose president was ousted last week in a coup that was condemned by many countries but welcomed by the head of Russia's mercenary Wagner group, which has extensive interests in Africa.
In a call with reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "what is happening is a matter of serious concern".
In a voice message published last week on social media channels linked to Russia's mercenary Wagner Group, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin appeared to endorse the coup, and to offer the services of his fighters to the junta.Prigozhin did not claim involvement in the coup, but described it as a moment of long overdue liberation from Western colonisers
However, his Wagner Group remains a key player in Russia's foreign policy in Africa. It has become an influential force in Niger's neighbour Mali since a 2021 coup there, and has a longer-standing presence in Central African Republic and Libya.
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