Daniel Eizenga News Today

Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that has also been hosting US troops, a move that follows a decision by Niger’s junta to expel US forces. Daniel Eizenga, a research fellow at the African Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, briefs host Carol Hills about the changing priorities of junta leaders […]

His tour comes amid multiple political upheavals in West Africa and as governments reassess relationships with the West.

After the generals took charge, the United States was forced to suspend operations at its most strategic military asset in sub-Saharan Africa. Restarting them won’t be easy.

On a barren swath of land in the Sahara, U.S. Air Base 201 stands far from public sight, on the outskirts of a remote city in one of the world’s poorest countries, its role more elusive than ever since its completion nearly six years ago.

A constitutional referendum would entrench the Déby dynasty, but N’Djamena’s stance in Sudan is dividing the country’s ruling elites.

The controlled constitutional referendum organized by Déby’s junta is intended to provide credibility to the military’s plans to hold power indefinitely.

Islamist militants in Niger have significantly stepped up their attacks in the months since generals here ousted the elected president, jettisoning the counterterrorism support of French forces and throwing into doubt cooperation with the American military.

Amid Western hand-wringing about the coups in Africa, some experts say the moment suggests not so much the twilight of Western influence but that African countries have choices and are breaking a dependence on one power.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, military leaders in Gabon announced they seized power and put President Ali Bongo under house arrest. Bongo had just been declared the president in a flawed election. The World's Marco Werman speaks to Daniel Eizenga, a research fellow at the African Center for Strategic Studies.

The coup in Niger has people asking about potential links to Russia. Neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso have turned to the Kremlin after severing ties with France. Is Moscow behind Niger's coup?