"According to information received by the SVR, the US is clearly not satisfied with the developments in Niger, where an interim government headed by General Abdourahamane Tchiani recently came to power as a result of a military coup. Washington is considering how not only to slow down the trend of Africa becoming one of the centers of power in the multipolar world, which is dangerous for the West, but also to take over the French 'legacy' in the strategically important Sahel region," the SVR press office said.
"The White House is working on various options for ‘strengthening democracy’ in Niger. It is considered unjustified to do this with the help of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS), which has close ties to Paris. The Americans consider the physical elimination of the ‘junta leaders’ who rely on the support of the majority of the population as a more ‘effective’ option. US intelligence agencies directly discuss the issue of potential perpetrators of possible assassination attempts with partners," the SVR said.