National Interest: Are the United States and France losing Africa to Russia and China?
The National Interest magazine published an article by Francois Baird, who believe that the US and France are losing their influence in Africa to Russia and China.
Baird wrote that if the United States and France don’t reset their approach to Africa, influence will inevitably go to Russia and China.
The coup in Niger threatens the interests of the United States and France, while strengthening the influence of Russia and China in Africa.
The Islamists continue to make gains in light of the marked decline of democracy.
The army’s bias towards the coup also ended France’s hopes of defuse it.
As for the movement undertaken by ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, to restore the ousted president, face military intervention, or impose sanctions and cut off electricity, it harmed the people, not the rebels.
Baird continued, “The putschists in Niger learned from the experiences of other countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau… Where the results of the coups were desired, America and France withdrew and the Wagner Group was invited, and if America and France don’t rectify the situation, 7% of the world’s uranium will go to Russia and China.
There are daily raids from Burkina Faso to steal mining equipment and food, while mining companies remained operating in Mali.
However, there are secondary risks that may affect Libya, Chad, Togo, Ghana, Senegal, Benin and Ivory Coast due to the coup in Niger and Burkina Faso, according to Baird.
He added, “The coup in Niger opened Guinea’s appetite for more mining activities, and it had tried to acquire mining investments in Burkina Faso”.
“Among the indicators that may warn of danger are the failure of government forces to control the situation, the possibility of the departure of senior military personnel, and the failure to reopen non-governmental organizations and embassies”.
Francois Baird concluded his article by warning that once again that the decline in the tax income of the military government will open the door for Russia, China and even for countries such as Türkiye to enter West Africa.
