Niger's Junta Rulers Seek Russian Assistance Amidst Military Intervention Threat

Niger's military junta has reportedly sought help from the Russian mercenary group Wagner as it faces a deadline to release the country's ousted president or potentially face military intervention by the West African regional bloc, ECOWAS. The request was made during a visit by coup leader Gen. Salifou Mody to Mali, where he made contact with someone from Wagner. The junta sees Wagner as a guarantee to hold onto power. ECOWAS has finalized an intervention plan and urged militaries to prepare resources. France has warned the junta to take the regional threat of force seriously, while residents have expressed concerns about the junta's actions and the potential consequences of international intervention.