Unveiling the Impact of Military Juntas in the Sahel Region
As military juntas seized power in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, accusing civilian leaders of colluding with France for resource exploitation, citizens staged protests by displaying Russian flags and burning French ones. However, a recent investigative report reveals a dwindling support for the juntas due to unfulfilled promises and harsh tactics by Russian mercenaries against civilians.
ZAM’s “Hotel Kremlin” investigation exposed the grim reality of life under military dictatorships, with civilian and military casualties on the rise. The juntas, promoting Russia’s Wagner mercenary group as a solution to terrorist threats, failed to bring the promised stability, leading to growing frustration among the populace.
Moreover, crackdowns on dissent in all three nations have silenced opposition voices and media, raising concerns among human rights organizations. The juntas’ recent confederation treaty and distancing from former colonial powers highlight a shift in regional alliances.
The failure of Russia to secure the Sahel region and the atrocities committed by Wagner fighters underscore the region’s turbulent post-coup landscape.
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