WEST AFRICAN COUPS: THE POLITICS OF SANCTIONS AND RUSSIA’S MERCENARIES

WEST AFRICAN COUPS: THE POLITICS OF SANCTIONS AND RUSSIA’S MERCENARIES

   Fri, 28 January 2022

A spree of military coups in West Africa is being perpetrated by US-trained elite special forces officers in reaction to intensifying insecurity in the Sahel and other grievances. In response to the coups, regional sanctions, western withdrawals of development aid, and suspension of security support, will drive the new juntas and other undemocratic governments towards a Russian-influence sphere that assures diplomatic cover and promises military collaboration through PMC contracts.