With landscapes resembling the red planet are 2 corresponded use of july got a chance to visit the unique location. This is a piece of mars here. The martian, nothings and it was south eastern port city of trouble. Har are a top tourist attraction for the extra terrestrial shapes. And their striking resemblance to the right plots ever think about these mountains is on earth way that you need to from graphical pattern of the surface as a result of rapid soil erosion caused by heavy rain and wind. Experts say this place is the most similar parts of earth to the martian surface who are made a suggest the martian mountains are made up of settlements with their height varying from 5 to 100 meters. Ive heard that mister elan musk is planning to send some tourists tomorrows in the next couple of years. I recommend that before sending those travelers. You take them here because this place looks like mars gets up by them. Apart from their magnificence, the mountains are a popular destination for hikers and adventure seekers. Offering stunning views of the surrounding desert and all man see coastline. Our team travels some 20 kilometers west of the martian mountains and look what we found here. Goodness, a red lake lake filled with red water. This is just mind blowing, just like another planet here. Nicole scarlet lip part lagoon under only 4 such lakes in the entire world. Which of a high red lake looks red and sometimes spring because of the presence of planting, the abundance of organic and mineral matters and the lagoon increased the amount of biological activities that lead to the formation of plankton was a blog right. Didnt the peculiar color of the water lawyers, many visitors while the are deleted, so that the within on the reason this lagoon looks pink, is that there was plankton at his bottom during the spring and early summer. It looks pinker then in other seasons because of the monsoon rains and the rise in the stream of water that pours from the sea into this lake. The job was over a 100 is mainly known for its sheila for the recall significance. Its captivating. See, there are easily putting this bad girl for half an hour to have 4 inch tours capacities as well. The to the heart resort Organization Says around 1200000. 00 towards visit this. We drove every year. Shes the ball is bad, we have signed some 250000000. 00 with the contracts with the rainy and Companies Active in the development of infrastructure camps. Em tours when negotiating the implementation stages with the currently a hotel beds can be up to 45 percent of the demand in high season. So the investment thats been made in the Tourism Sector is expected to improve the infrastructure comfort and the accommodation facilities to a level that can meet the needs of travelers. It takes up least 2 weeks to explore all of the i cant drink, and in most cases, peculiar attractions of travel, har from its decimal bank, all that. And so you walk you coast to the portuguese fortress and teach village. Plus, buell massey offers all water sports activities from school, but ive ink to serve frank or if youre not feeling energetic, just sit back and enjoy the tranquilizing sunrise and sunset a trouble har back despite it being the most remote spot on it was mapped trouble, har is indeed a tourist. Mackinac bowed for its rough taking outlined dish landscapes and its strange climate, which is the warmest during the winter and among because during the summer noon to the monsoon winds blowing from india are one because it is vis. Cobra is flowing on those cliffs is really refreshing. The solve portfolio for our katie. Im use of density from job of har. Thats all for now. Thanks for watching. Well see you back at the top of the hour, the in the hello. Im manila chad. Youre tuned into modus operandi a coo and new share that could send shock waves across the region. The balance of power across west africa up for grabs, as a populist uprising, leaves the western back eco was at odds with one another. Today well discuss the simmering tensions that led up to this new situation in these air. All right, lets get into the m o the a top 10 for do sir of uranium 7th to be exact. Yet the democratically elected government overseeing a population who, according to the world bank, has a roughly 42 percent extreme poverty rate. That some 10000000 people in new share out of about 28000000, who go hungry regularly, who have no access to sanitation schools and so forth. This after approximately 40 years, a french colonization through much of the 20th century and currently serving as a wrong base for us and for com. Now, with almost no results for an improvement and the standard of living, it would appear. The military coup in new share is backed by popular civilian support. So joining us now to break down the history of new share and this region and just how we got to this situation is coffee cool. Cool coffee is an African Affairs analyst, formerly of the world bank. He is now a senior fellow at the center for africa, china studies at the university of johannesburg. Thank you so much for joining us. Coffee. First, lets go back to late july by the missouri end, president ial guard led by brigadier general. I do a rough on to shani and colonel major. Im gonna do. Im durham on letter code over throw over, throw a president mohammed presume. First, for the viewers walk us through that cool and just who these military leaders are behind this. Cool. Well, i always say that context governs be. And this time, especially in the here, is always good to get a sense of history. But i want to border your audience with that long if you want context. But what is important is that in these years of country that seed so many courses, the 1st president of the jury sixties that lead the country where it is to be. And by and large, strong man and Strong Military as rule of rule the the ship. And so. Ringback so what happened was, late july was the symptomatic nature of, of such a projects. So when the cool lead is or to over it, now the main one of course, the general gen a was and hes still not that hes a president , but he was the head of the president ial court. And then of course, coming next on these uh, east partners. And this is where the, their role is be really played along with the president for many, many years. And i think by large they havent been happy with 2 things as they have announced themselves. See, the 1st one is the sense that of the partnership and at least the governing the elements of the president was the post made by so didnt deal with 1st decisively against or is in the share. The 2nd was that the so read t j was not really in the hands of jerry. And i must say is a slight difference between the share or and jerry and i, jerry, we here and many people say niger, its really not right . Because it doesnt make the difference with nigeria on hey jones. And this is whats how and so these 2 know officers are now running the country. They are now Still Holding the president more bustle and keeping in hostage. Now as youre just alluded to earlier and is there is no stranger to qu attempts theyve had at least 6 crews since 1974. The most recent one before this was in 2021, but not have received the same Media Coverage as this latest cool. Why do you suppose that is, was very, very important because the context within which we are to be as a very powerful jewel, political, if you want to handle. And thats one of the reasons. And it does because external pounds, especially friends in the United States on board the ship, because theyre being there, they have huge interest. France used to be the 4, call it the colonizer yet many of us still believe that the judge still colonized by french france anyway, because theyve been there for so long since the middle of a 100 years. And then french also use is a natural resources. Are you sure . Especially you ran your, your and, and you probably your, hes probably knows that the shares the 7th producer, if youre a new world, i think the produce about 2000 times and. Ready and so, and rush, i think produces 2005 on this is big. So the ship being one of those huge Resource Areas and the resources of this uranium is being used by french to power. Its as energy in france, of course. So. So its industry, theres a provide electricity to a citizen. I mean, the power that goes to the iphone, how is extraordinary, theyre coming from. Most of the st. Nicholas central powers, a french fuel by the germans uh, the uranium. What is also paradoxical inside is that, well, you know frances power and use i 4000 cities with jerry and energies you. Youre a new the people in j available, kristen. And this is a sad part that which is really in the space of french. Now the 2nd part is america, america also has an established, but before i go to america, its also important to just signal that frances about age military base is strong over the sheer to control the resources, but also control of ours. And so become in the mean for the United States, United States as me. And she is very important basis officially to fight to her as an and executors of counter tears strategy to off base the drawing. But also more than 1100. 00 the troops. They have a huge bases, and of course, those bases really give strength to the government. Thats and power interest being the pulse of the advisor. And that is exactly what is made the school as important, if not more important than the other ones in the beach. Because of the presence of friends in, especially the United States. All right, so lets explore the french influence there on the anti french sentiment appears to be shared by neighboring countries as well, like burkina, faso and molly, who have since joined this cause i new military coalition with new share. France is one of the largest purchasers of uranium from the share, but the military junta has already announced that they would hold all sales to the french. So 1st, how is news youre going to make up for the loss of sales of uranium to france, and are there potential clients, others who want to buy this . And secondly, who, how will france respond . I mean, is this to move by new share enough to actually warrant an actual military intervention . It is most likely, i mean, new jersey in the military is not as strong as french. So it is a very small military and you definitely have all the strength. But what they have is the strength is now the new focus and then like thats on a jet, which means its more of a moral ground standing in power than any military force. First of all, the jerry and will struggle with bid to get a bite. Its not easy, we know, for example, that south korea, thats by some of the, the uranium that the russians, but also surprisingly interesting to Chinese Companies on both theyre buying some of is uh, some of the brand new. So the other one is that the french still, its going to be difficult for the jerry and government to really stop complete this sale because they just dont control the minds. Thats one thing. So it is very important to say that so french will be very unhappy to see that going, so they will react and theyll react very badly because theyre not happy with the supply. Its raining and be cut off. And then being used as a leverage to really threatening and that will sort of react as a new, a colonial power to assure that in fact, the United States is right behind french because uranium is such an important material for Nuclear Energy that can also lead because we may have to use for civilian use for tricity and borrowing manufacturing plants and so forth, but also full bombs and atomic bombs. And that is a concern large so you say 90 states in french, but most most important. And finally, there will be a reaction from france in the United States, and perhaps they may not be as visible, but they could be by prophecies of funding rebels. So g at is sort of fact is right now, as you already touched upon the, the west has this well known drone base that they rent out of new share. They have around 1100. 00 us military troops there. They say to help combat terrorism inside the country. What has been the us view or response so far of this to just be the one to in new shared to they actually posed a threat to us or American Interest in the region . Well, the 1st thing were hearing already, we know very quickly, is early on secretary destiny blinking is issued a very measured statement. First of all, congratulating the Economic Community a force african state for the strong stands against in Constitutional Orders in new jersey. This one came up very quickly so they need the, the us is playing is softer, sort of behind the scenes role to try to find a peaceful solution. But also attempting to go hers that utah to release prison by the, by zoom. But also at the same time, tell them, look, youve got to get to act together because were not quite happy with that kind of thing that youve done was included tops. I think thats one thing. But most importantly, what the us is also trying to do is a short, its power soft and sort of having a, a to, you know, a stick carrot and stick approach to the, the hooked up. And if they dont play ball days more likely that the us mine and i sitting in my like proxy intervene military approach. So you contribute the probably gonna encourage that for us to find a way to intervene one way or another. However, the best Case Scenario is for the us and friends literally instead of engaging in military confrontation, which has been a us stable across the world. That is to have now considered a peaceful solution or dial with a new job. But were still waiting to see if thats going to be possible because the west is not as patient as other nations, like china or russia in terms of negotiation. And this is the fee for the people in the region. And of course, after all right, coming up next, why are so many civilians in the share, waiving the russian flag will discuss it when we return with coca cola whos to type the m o will be right back the of the as a cranes much more over 5 to color offensive stalls. Western leaders have made a remarkable, rhetorical tippett binding says, proof of his already lost the board. The secretary of state lincoln says russia has lost their narrative because the form of pseudo reality because making the claim ukraine is wendy, is untenable. The welcome back to the m. O i manila chance you may have missed it. If youre watching the us mainstream media, they deliberately cut out that crowd footage when showing you the civilians of new share outside of the president ial palace supporting the military junta. But spotted throughout those rallies russian flags. Whats up with that . Thats with us to explain African Affairs analyst cofi. Cool. Cool. Uh so coffee. Since this cool, the main stream media has at times averted showing the presence of russian flags at the, the large rallies and support of the hunter. But in reality, the russian flag is being waved a lot there. And when they do show the flag, its done cynically. What kind of support has russia actually provided to new share to warrant this kind of flag waving . I mean, is there any support or is this sort of an attempt to discredit the coo and their motives . I mean, it appears this is a, a populace to wire the caring russian flags. This is a, what are the most important fact . I have written a small piece and the nature of the symbol of russian flux. And i forgot to do is sort of being used by many africans, at least those were very unhappy with whats happening with the colonial masters, especially french, to use russian slag is what i would go stick to. But what is more important when he 20 stand to date is that there is no and after raising the populations across this, i have war now being conscious menus and learning awards and seeing whats happening around the world. So social media and in fact, the role of social media and the internet is video, extraordinary profile in the wake up most of these people about their own flight. The only thing though, and victories by former colonial powers, like france, is now pushed in on board and seeing what theyve seen already in the Central African republic. Also in bowie, and looking at fossil, theyre now coming out in this burst of sort of protests. But also anger is also forcing the military to take advantage of it. And this is what we know calling at least many of us were analyzing this cool sort of a militarily, a citizen revolt or a citizen revolt led by the military as a new dynamic thats now flushing out across the region. And let me come back to something that you mentioned, the idea for a sort of in type french sentence. Its really not true if you look at it pretty well. You know, the french language culturally is dominant. It is use as an official language for manual. These former french qualities from good deed was and he called ali anomaly is just as i refused to using as a individual language, i think, you know, for us is also considered. Right. So africans, if theres not many of the unhappy with the french Government Policies continues, oppression continues, exploitation continues use of french power to maintain africans in property in quality. And then of course, having the means of they own that continues to oppress applicants. And this is where we are. And so the Economic Community of west african states, this one being won by nigeria, theyve threatened to militarily intervene in to new share. Some of those Member States of eco wash. So they have joined into a sort of military alliance with new jersey co leaders. So could we actually witness a large scale war in west africa or so how . Because the eco was, doesnt seem really unified on this situation. Yes, indeed, you so right. I mean, you course is fragmented. Many of the members are not in agreement. And theres a great deal of a now suspicion that people are stages of part of france in the United States, forcing a sort of new, mandatory or threatening that shared june to, to really develop and then uh, you know, retail and re establish what. So if you want to consider coal constitutional order, democratic institutional order. Now the fragmentation of the causes understandable because many of the african countries disagree with the economic sanctions. Any of them wants to want say publicly by private, theyre seeing that it costs is saying shouldnt be comic sanctions against molly. Havent worked in facts 2 weeks ago. They had to really cancel goods, the comic central and ask somebody to join back. Natalie said no, we are to just see that. We think, well, yeah, were fine. So the borders of malia opened now, but you know, fast so, so. So use the, the Lessons Learned from body to continuously push its own agenda out of liberation. Now did you, did you, did you ties also learn from if in fact, a couple of days ago where the invoice update your debt from you. It was in raleigh and theyre not building a coalition. They may not be strong militarily. But i think they have memorial, okay. And the support of a large group of african seriously, i think that most of the major media in there with countries are not showing that uprising to take place before the very week. Theyre not happy. And in fact, thats one reason they keep showing russian flag because they think and believe that the only nation to be that can stand up to the, which is mainly russia, china, maybe economically. But its very rare. They may not happen that china, china will sort of come militarily to support africans, only rush online using perhaps that. And i think this is where it cost is also seen as a weak link because they put west hasnt been able, beside what theyve done in liberia. And sierra leone. They havent been able to do anything else. And of course, it just seem any good. I mean, the community, uh, organization, or west african state. Its not a military organization. So be difficult to see how you know that well be able to, uh, when the war against a new ship doesnt mean that is now supported by molly. Now 5, so you need and now we also hear that julia is also playing a supportive role to the share in utah. Now there are reports of algeria in top officials flying in to moscow recently, and it looks like they could supply weapons to new share. Do you have any insight on that where they are . Because remember, the russia, africa summits and the 20, i think 27 to 28th of july last month is a very important guthrie. In fact, the official nature of what happened. I also hides the new russians engagement in africa, and i think the russian wants to double if not triple the engagement. Impressive questioning, because there is, if theres a few to get thats left by the western powers that russia might feel that also china and by feel. So the real guy, joe, in a jury is when its a very large bracket of russia, not just on the diplomatic jo originally, but also in terms of uh, military uh, partnership, but sofa. I to go to your angel, be very careful to provide military assistance and yeah, because they dont want to have a war in the region. Remember these j as a border, very long puerto rico, gerry. Yeah. And any war they will be disastrous for the site or even region. So everybody is looking at a, perhaps the best Case Scenario, which is finding piece. Uh, but we know that piece is not easy to find specially where the United States is behind. Most of these things, always a very big concern to buy a worst Case Scenario for a fight with many of us a whole so that will find and Peaceful Solutions initiate breasts. And what of the report, a pipeline project that would be running from nigeria into the mediterranean, that would go through new share. And algeria, what sort of Economic Impact might that have on the region . Another pipeline that to be built between nigeria and morocco. This one is about oil and gas, specifically and, and a german brock would be having these extraordinary relationship, which many of us have been working diligently for russell and the other place, the staff or categories. It will be creating a great deal of trade between more operating jerry, but also the pipeline between algeria and the ship and julia or the ships. If it takes place, there will be a trojan or because both countries also old is a resources such as oil and gas, but also they have some goals. They have some random arrows that will, they will help to good luck this region. For one other reason, this region as a really cool is that theyve been developed over exploited and the poverty theyre being manufactured by external hours. And thats why the reason people are now hopeful that the decline of french power was also the decline. If not the small, theyre much less a controlled thing id say in the west. And that richard will help these regions really blossom much, much better than they had so much to unpack here, i wish we had more time. Thank you so much. Kofi, kofi clark, who is an African Affairs analyst, formerly of the world bank. He is now a senior fellow at the center for africa, china studies at the university of johannesburg. Thank you so much, my friend. All right, that is going to do it for this episode of modus operandi. The show that dig deep into Foreign Policy and Current Affairs on your host manila chan, thank you for tuning in. Well see you again next time to figure out the m. O. The. The new jersey to government is open to dialogue with eco lot, as it seeks to resolve a stand off with the block and put an end to escalating sections in the region. Also this hour the were and our teeth prove, gets exclusive access to the front lines of the little guns for a public or serious bottles are under way. A 1st hand report from the ground coming up in a few minutes, plus rushes f as to be Security Service on covers a Spine Network of finish intelligence aimed at interfering in russia as internal affairs