this post was submitted on 31 Jul 2023
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[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Don't think it's such a great idea. Here's why:

  • Wagner are a PMC. While affiliated with the Russian government (aka being funded by), the recent mutiny showed they're more than willing to push the employer. Being the one vector of government "interests" in the region (as opposed to official intelligence services) will embolden them further

  • Russia is capitalist and thus will inevitably require imperialist action to support the bourgeoisie. Having experienced armed forces in the region allows such action

  • AFAIK Rosatom (state corporation in charge of Russian nuclear power development) was heavily invested in Niger and was assisting the French - because while the latter can extract uranium, turning it into nuclear fuel is a separate procedure. And currently only Rosatom and Westinghouse possess the know-how (and I am not 100% sure about Westinghouse)

[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Could a limited use of Wagner until Niger can train/obtain a good military be a good option for them?