Niger Junta Blocks Negotiators, 'America's Favourite' Leads Coup, US Hints Russia “Paid”

West African leaders are expected to meet on August 10 to discuss their response to the crisis in Niger. Niger’s military junta has rejected the latest diplomatic mission from African countries to discuss the situation. The US has suspended its training of Nigerien forces and has even cut some other military assistance to Niger. The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has cautioned Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu against attacking Niger. Gen Moussa Barmou, Niger’s self-proclaimed chief of defence, has been the main diplomatic channel between the US and the junta. Barmou, who is known to have had an affinity for the US, has hosted US officers for dinner at his home in the past.