What's going on in Africa...

'Is US starting to "defend" its African "allies" from BRICS?'

www.rt.com

US carries out ‘self-defense airstrike’ in Africa

A US airstrike has killed 13 Islamist militants in Somalia, the Africa Command said
www.rt.com www.rt.com
28 Aug, 2023

Just a reminder:

infobrics.org

Biden escalates American “forever war” in Somalia

US-China geopolitical dispute motivates legally-questioned US operations
infobrics.org infobrics.org
May 20, 2022
[...]
According to an Amnesty International April 2020 report, by the year 2020 the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) had already conducted hundreds of air strikes over a decade, with zero accountability for the deaths of civilians, who were routinely labeled as “terrorists”, and with no compensation of any kind to the families.

According to former Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council (in the US) Luke Hartig, it is simply not clear how Biden’s escalation of Washington's “forever war” in Somalia even fits into the United States larger counterterrorism strategy, and this is so because the White House so far has not released its own National Strategy for Counterterrorism. As a result of this lack of transparency, nobody really knows what the strategy is and one can only speculate.
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(Translated by Google)

After the death of Prigozhin and the leadership of the Wagner PMC, France deliberately escalates in Niger​

2023-08-28
 
🇬🇦 There are reports of a military coup in Gabon. A group of high-ranking Gabonese military spoke early on Wednesday morning on Gabon 24 TV channel and announced the seizure of power after the incumbent pro-French president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, won the elections in the country.

Twelve military personnel announced they are canceling the election results, dissolving the government, abolishing state institutions and closing borders until further notice.

The officers who led the coup said that they represented all the security forces of the country and that there was no internal struggle between them.

Earlier, eyewitnesses reported shooting in the capital of Gabon, the city of Libreville, but it stopped after about an hour.

By a happy coincidence, Gabon is also a former French colony that has reserves of uranium, oil and gas.
 
Sounds like there was the usual shenanigans on election day.

www.euronews.com

Gabon soldiers seize power and announce the cancellation of elections

Soldiers announced on national TV they were taking power in Gabon and declared the cancellation of the elections after the announcement of Ali Bongo Ondimba's victory.
www.euronews.com www.euronews.com

Soldiers announced on national TV they were taking power in Gabon and declared the cancellation of the elections after the announcement of Ali Bongo Ondimba's victory.

Ondimba was seeking a third seven-year term and to continue a 55-year political dynasty. Bongo came to power in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled the country for 41 years.
Bongo, 64, won his current term in office by a narrow margin in 2016 amid violent protests. This year, the opposition united in favour of his main challenger, economics professor Albert Ondo Ossa, one week before Saturday's elections.
Around 847,000 people were eligible to cast ballots Saturday. Voters in Libreville, Gabon's capital, complained of polling stations opening late. Voting was scheduled to begin in the morning, but many election sites had failed to open as of 2 p.m.

“I’ve finally voted. I’ve been here since 6 am. It was at 12 noon that I was able to vote, because the polling station opened at 11 am,” Ballack Obame, a former student leader, said.
 
t.me

Silvano Trotta Officiel

La France a perdu le Gabon... L'armée gabonaise a déclaré que les résultats des élections nationales étaient faux et a procédé à la dissolution des institutions du pouvoir - un nouveau coup d'État se dessine en Afrique. Ali ben Bongo Ondimba aurait été réélu pour un troisième mandat avec plus...
t.me t.me
La France a perdu le Gabon...
L'armée gabonaise a déclaré que les résultats des élections nationales étaient faux et a procédé à la dissolution des institutions du pouvoir - un nouveau coup d'État se dessine en Afrique.
Ali ben Bongo Ondimba aurait été réélu pour un troisième mandat avec plus de 64% des voix, un résultat que les militaires ont qualifié de frauduleux.
Les dirigeants de l'armée ont exprimé leur désaccord avec ces résultats. Elle a dissous les institutions de pouvoir existantes et a annoncé à la télévision qu'elle n'accepterait pas les résultats des élections nationales. Aujourd'hui, selon l'AFP, des échanges de tirs à l'arme automatique ont lieu dans la ville de Libreville.
Les frontières du pays sont fermées jusqu'à nouvel ordre.
Le Gabon est une "ancienne" colonie française.
View attachment 80634
France lost Gabon...
The Gabonese army declared that the results of the national elections were false and proceeded to dissolve the institutions of power - a new coup d'état is taking shape in Africa.
Ali ben Bongo Ondimba would have been re-elected for a third term with more than 64% of the vote, a result that the military described as fraudulent.
Army leaders have expressed disagreement with these results. She dissolved existing institutions of power and announced on television that she would not accept the results of the national elections. Today, according to AFP, exchanges of fire with automatic weapons are taking place in the city of Libreville.
The country's borders are closed until further notice.
Gabon is a “former” French colony.
 
'Why am I feeling that Africa is plunging into chaos?'

www.rt.com

Coup underway in Gabon – AFP

A group of uniformed Gabonese soldiers claimed to have seized power on national television following the country’s disputed elections
www.rt.com www.rt.com
30 Aug, 2023

tass.com

Oil prices surging on Gabon mutiny news

Gabon is the OPEC member producing 200,000 barrels of oil daily
tass.com tass.com
30 AUG, 2023

tass.com

Russia keeps close eye on Gabon developments, says Kremlin

Earlier, a group of high-placed Gabonese army officers announced that they had taken power in the country and cancelled the results of the August 26 presidential and parliamentary elections
tass.com tass.com
30 AUG, 2023
 
'The French military is preparing to occupy Niger.'

sputnikglobe.com

French Troops Reportedly Given Until September 3 to Withdraw From Niger

Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) has reportedly demanded the complete withdrawal of French troops from the West African country by September 3.
sputnikglobe.com sputnikglobe.com
14 hours ago

(Translated by Google)

The French military refused to leave the military base in Niger, contrary to the decree of the rebels​

2023-08-30

tass.com

Senegalese troops to be deployed to Benin for possible intervention in Niger

According to the Seneweb portal, Air Senegal has been asked to airlift 900 mobilized soldiers and combat vehicles to the city of Cotonou in Benin, which can be used as a rear base for the ECOWAS forces
tass.com tass.com
31 AUG, 2023
 
French Ambassador to Niger stripped of diplomatic immunity

The diplomatic immunity and credentials of the French Ambassador to the Republic, Sylvain Itte, have been revoked by the Government of Niger. It is also alleged that the Niamey police have been ordered to expel him from the country, but the timing is unknown. The diplomatic mission also turned off electricity and water supply. This is reported by Sky News Arabia.

Earlier, Niger canceled all security agreements with France. French troops are required to leave the country by September 3 - the authorities have given Paris a month to withdraw troops, the deadline expires just in early autumn. In particular, the Foreign Ministry of Niger ordered the French ambassador to leave the country, for which he was given 48 hours, he was deprived of an agreman.
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Французского посла в Нигере лишили дипломатической неприкосновенности
 
youlik said:
French Ambassador to Niger stripped of diplomatic immunity

The diplomatic immunity and credentials of the French Ambassador to the Republic, Sylvain Itte, have been revoked by the Government of Niger. It is also alleged that the Niamey police have been ordered to expel him from the country, but the timing is unknown. The diplomatic mission also turned off electricity and water supply. This is reported by Sky News Arabia.

Earlier, Niger canceled all security agreements with France. French troops are required to leave the country by September 3 - the authorities have given Paris a month to withdraw troops, the deadline expires just in early autumn. In particular, the Foreign Ministry of Niger ordered the French ambassador to leave the country, for which he was given 48 hours, he was deprived of an agreman.
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Finally, it appears that decolonization is taking place... :halo: :lol:
Meanwhile in Burkina Faso they get the visit of Yunus-bek Yevkurov (who went to Lybia and Syria not so long ago):

"

Burkina Faso president meets with Russian delegation led by deputy defense minister​

The sides discussed bilateral military and defense cooperation, including its present state and future prospects

MOSCOW, September 1. /TASS/.

The president of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, met with the Russian delegation led by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Col. Gen. Yunus-Bek Yevkurov in the capital Ouagadougou on Thursday, the country’s official Burkina Information Agency (Agence d'Information du Burkina, or AIB) reported on Friday.

The sides discussed bilateral military and defense cooperation, including its present state and future prospects. They also addressed other issues raised during the meeting between the presidents of Russia and Burkina Faso on the sidelines of the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in late July, the report says.

The head of the Russian delegation assured Traore of Russia’s support for the transitional period in Burkina Faso. He also said that Russia stood by the country’s people in all areas of potential development, AIB said."
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Here's the official letter from Niger (Source in french):
1693543349082.jpeg

A Deepl translation of the core:

"The ministry of foreign affairs, cooperation and nigerians abroad of the republic of Niger presents its compliments to the ministry of europe and foreign affairs of the french republic, and in response to its note verbale n°... 08/26/2023, has the honor to inform it that the question of the approval of the ambassador of France is irrevocable and any comment on this subject is without object.

Consequently, at the end of the 48-hour period expiring on August 28, 2023, the person concerned no longer enjoys the privileges and immunities attached to his status as a member of the Embassy staff. The diplomatic cards and visas of the person concerned and members of his family are cancelled. The police are instructed to proceed with his expulsion."
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Russians have a saying: a holy place is never empty. Wagner is being slowly cleaned up, and all the "goodies" from his activities both inside the country and abroad will be used by more controlled structures.
The Wagner PMCs in Africa and the Middle East will replace the Redoubt PMCs. The
private military company Redoubt is increasing its activity in the Middle East, expanding its presence in Syria and establishing operations in Libya. According to information from sources, this company works according to the tactical manuals of the PMCs "Wagner", the famous Russian private military company. Interestingly, the curation of the "Redoubt" is carried out by the former Wagnerian and Hero of Russia Troshev. In addition, recruitment to the Redoubt goes through Molkino, the base where the Wagner PMCs was previously located. Anastasia Kashevarova provides information on this matter.

Such an expansion of PMC activity in the Middle East may have several consequences. According to experts, this increases the influence in the region, especially in the context of a reduction in the presence of the West.

It is noteworthy that days earlier there was information that the Wagner PMCs could finally cease to exist after the death of key leaders. So, it became known about a widespread message that the fighters of a private military company were advised to find another job, as competition in Africa and the Middle East is becoming very serious.
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ЧВК "Вагнер" в Африке и на Ближнем Востоке заменит ЧВК "Редут"

У русских есть поговорка: свято место-пусто не бывает. Вагнера потихонечку подчищают, а все "вкусности" от его деятельности и внутри страны, и за границей будут использоваться более контролируемыми структурами.
 
These successive coups in African countries, where the leaders are the puppies of other puppets of leaders who are also being led.
And since Syria, where private military companies have played an important role, or even Russian intelligence in the role of preventing the coup in Turkey against Erdogan, have indeed with these Russian PMCs in support on their territory know that from now on it was like an assurance from Putin who told them that he had the ability to protect them from the fate of a Gaddafi or a Saddam Hussein, against those who have long wanted to keep and preserve their statu quo.

Can Wagner's troops in Africa and Syria continue to fight?

The future of Wagner's troops abroad is equally uncertain. The group has become a key pillar of Russian foreign policy, with its forces helping to support governments in Syria, Mali, the Central African Republic and Libya in exchange for lucrative mining rights.

In recent days, Prigozhin has reportedly been present in West Africa, where Western analysts fear that the group is seeking to extend its influence to other countries, in particular Niger where a coup has just taken place.

Some have speculated that the beheading of the group's leadership could force Russia to reassess its attempts to influence in the region, but many experts believe that the group's decentralized command on the continent should allow it to continue its operations without being hindered by Prigozhin's death.

After the June mutiny, Russian officials reportedly traveled to Libya to meet Khalifa Haftar, the renegade general who challenges the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, and assured him of the Wagner group's continued support, regardless of Prigojine's fate.

Mr Trad told the BBC he believed the Wagner Group was so integrated into the defence infrastructure of African countries that their operations would not be disrupted by Prigojine's death.

"The commanders stationed in Syria, the Central African Republic or Mali already have very good models and have the freedom to act," he said.

"The local commanders are not affected because the operations are separate, they have different resources and they are even currently recruiting for operations in Syria and Africa.

He added that the group's arm's length relationship with Russian intelligence services would remain a valuable tool for Moscow, allowing it to operate in the "gray area" where it could pursue Russia's interests, while allowing officials to deny any involvement.

Mr Bringer told the BBC that Wagner was "essential in Africa" to promote Russian interests. "The structure will certainly continue to exist there, perhaps more under the Wagner name, but with a new leader loyal to the Kremlin," he said.

Anton Mardasov, a non-resident researcher at the Syria program of the Middle East Institute, said that even after the failure of the Prigozhin uprising in Russia, Wagner's commanders abroad largely escaped the Kremlin's reprisals to avoid "weakening Moscow's overall position".

However, he said that other mercenary companies were increasingly competing with Wagner's role in Syria. After the June mutiny, Mr. Mardasov indicated that a number of Wagner's soldiers had been offered a transfer to a competing company called PMC Redut.

"Redut has been working in Syria alongside Wagner for a long time," Mr Mardasov told the BBC. "The military is betting on Redut in Syria, but they were afraid of going too fast."

Will Wagner quickly erase himself from the memories?

In the medium term, it therefore seems unlikely that Wagner's activities will be significantly affected by the death of his benefactor. But in the longer term, Wagner's activities should turn into something new, according to Emily Ferris from Rusi.

"The most likely thing is that Wagner will split in two, with the dissolution of the remaining leaderless groups in Belarus and the transformation of the other faction active abroad into something else that can be a tool of Russian foreign policy," she told the BBC.

As for Prigozhin's legacy, Mr Bringer told the BBC that Wagner had "demonstrated to the Kremlin how a private shadow army, capable of operating illegally, could be useful in its hybrid wars, as well as to gain influence abroad".

"Wagner's name may disappear, but not the mercenaries on the ground and the method he created.
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LINK.
About Redut
 
youlik said:
Russians have a saying: a holy place is never empty. Wagner is being slowly cleaned up, and all the "goodies" from his activities both inside the country and abroad will be used by more controlled structures.
Click to expand...

Slowly unfolding, perhaps.

Oleg Tsarev posted on his Tg channel today, commenting on the news about Yevkurov's visit to Burkina Faso:

Tsarev:
Unfortunately, this was clear even before the demise of Wagner's leadership. Prigozhin's plane crashed on 23 August. And the delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, headed by Deputy Minister Yevkurov arrived in Libya on 22 August. There is a version that Prigozhin flew to Moscow because PMCs were being squeezed out of Africa and Syria.
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Rybar:
On the "entry" of the Russian Defence Ministry to Africa and the future of PMCs

Unheard of and unprecedented is happening: TOPs from the Ministry of Defence of Russia in the person of deputy minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov is making tours through African countries. First it was Syria, then Libya, now Burkina Faso.

🔻 The main insider of the international direction of PMC "Wagner" Prince Cherkassky writes that in this way continue attempts to squeeze "Wagner" from Africa.

- As we said earlier, we are talking about an attempt to replace the PMC with formations fully controlled by Frunzenskaya Embankment [MoD HQ street]. For this purpose, a certain "volunteer corps" will be formed (although, rather, it is an expeditionary corps, let's call things by their proper names), which should include more than 20 thousand people.

- Given the fact that the "Wagners" and the Russian Ministry of Defence have been divorced (according to our information, they decided to leave the international circuit alone, appointing curators from a third party), attempts at such backstabbing intrigues will still continue.

- The external circuit of the "company" is completely original and is fuelled by external economic assets abroad. In fact, the simplest approach would be "it works - don't touch it". But...

- And yes, Syria, Libya, Central African Republic, Mali and Burkina Faso are not the main focus. According to our information, the PMC services are interested in a completely different direction. And perhaps the company's fighters will have to fight in the jungle again: however, not at all in the CAR.
--
But we would like to draw attention to something completely different. Three years ago, Yevgeny Prigozhin made considerable efforts to interest at least someone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation in a visit to Africa (they refused by hook or by crook).

The conflict with Shoigu, the mutiny, the blown-up plane - all this together forced the Russian Defence Ministry to look at the black continent. And now the tug-of-war contest has begun. If suddenly the MoD will be able to do something (even if it's to spite the PMCs), the fact that now the MoD began to act in the direction that EVP wanted them to do at that time makes one, at minimum, smile.
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