Blinken: Wagner Group “Taking Advantage” of Instability in Niger

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Russian private military group “Wagner” is “taking advantage” of instability in Niger.

Blinken said he did not think Russia or Wagner instigated Niger’s coup. However the US was worried about the group “possibly manifesting itself” in parts of the Sahel region, he told the BBC.

“I think what happened, and what continues to happen in Niger was not instigated by Russia or by Wagner, but… they tried to take advantage of it,” he said.

On Monday, US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland held what she described as “difficult and frank” talks with the coup leaders in Niger.

The military coup in Niger sparked angry international reactions, amid warnings of the repercussions of this dangerous step on the security of the African Sahel region. (QNA)

Source: Qatar News Agency