7 chapters across the catalog
The military leaders of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso signed a mutual defense pact to assist one another against terrorism and external intervention. The discussion contextualizes these coups within the history of the 1884 Berlin Conference and the ongoing struggle for Africa's mineral resources.
Francophone Spring, Al Jazeera and Democracy Now Coverage
Media reports from Al Jazeera and Democracy Now highlight the "Francophone Spring," noting that Gabon marks the tenth coup or attempted takeover in West and Central Africa in three years. The narrative focuses on the failure of the Bongo family to use oil wealth to alleviate poverty, with specific mention of French oil giant Total Energies. The military's dissolution of state institutions in Gabon is met with public cheers in the capital, Libreville.
A military coup in Niger has sparked large-scale protests against French military presence and Western influence in the Sahel region. Protesters in Niamey have displayed Russian flags and expressed support for the junta, citing the failure of Western nations to stop the regional jihadist insurgency.
Myanmar and Burkina Faso, Global Conflict Updates
In Myanmar, the military junta granted a partial pardon to ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi but extended the state of emergency. In Africa, the transitional president of Burkina Faso warned that Western weapons intended for Kiev are being diverted to terrorists within the African continent.
The Pentagon is considering a major reduction or complete withdrawal of US forces from West Africa, including Burkina Faso. This shift in global deployment strategy comes as France increases its military presence in the Sahel region to combat jihadist insurgencies. Burkina Faso's economy relies heavily on gold mining, which has been disrupted by escalating violence.
Nick Turse, US Proxy Wars and Secret Ops in Africa
Author Nick Turse discusses the expansion of US military involvement across 90% of African nations and the unintended consequences of interventions in Libya and Mali. Turse highlights how US-trained officers were involved in coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, contradicting stated goals of regional stability. The discussion notes Turse's failure to mention Chinese interests in the region as a significant oversight in his analysis.
A military coup in Burkina Faso followed mass protests against the president, which the hosts link to a strategy of "rubbleizing" regions surrounding West African oil reserves. They argue the U.S. is using the Ebola crisis as a cover to arm local factions and create a buffer zone to protect petroleum interests. This "grand contra deal" allows for military intervention without public opposition from anti-war or environmental groups.
