The recent coup in Niger helps to illuminate several issues in world politics, not only in Africa. First, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has spawned global political transformations, among them the rising importance of the Global South. Second, this coup simultaneously highlights Russia’s ambitious, even aggressive strategy, throughout Africa, as well as deep-seated challenges to governance and state-building there. The latest coup clarifies Russia’s instruments of power, tactics and goals for nations in Africa, if not, other developing states in other regions. It also may explain why Putin did not disband Wagner after the June mutiny, because of its centrality to Russia’s global strategy.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 05, 2023 11:28 UTC