The “African corps” replacing the Wagner Group announced on Telegram on January 24th the deployment of a contingent of around a hundred men to Burkina Faso. On the same day, the Russian newspaper *Vedomosti* published an article stating that this “African corps” would be reinforced by 200 men and that by the summer, it would be able to operate in five countries: the CAR, Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

However, this perspective does not seem to be generating a consensus in Niamey, leading to a confrontation between defense ministers. On one side stands Salifou Modi for the [CAR], and on the other, Russian deputy ministers Alexandre Fomine and Younus Evkourov.

It was not specified if the arrival of a contingent mixing military personnel and ex-Wagner mercenaries was also on the agenda for discussions. The main leaders of the junta were gathered to discuss the prospect of the arrival of Russian military personnel, and the exchanges were reportedly heated, according to high-ranking observers.

Representatives on the pro-Russian side included General Tiani, the junta’s leader, Salifou Modi, the Minister of Defense, while on the opposing side was Moussa Barmou, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. It is said that Moussa Barmou, an officer trained in the United States and described as a man of Washington, vehemently opposed the Russian option.