Moving closer to russia, which happened after coups in neighbouring burkina faso and mali. Later, leaders from the 15 countries that make up the Economic Community of west african states, and the eight leaders from the west African Economic and monetary union, will meet to discuss their response. Brandon kendhammer is politics professor at Ohio University and expert on politics in west africa. Hejoins us now. Thank you and welcome to the programme. What is your take on what we are witnessing in niger right now . Right now . Good morning. I think what right now . Good morning. I think what we right now . Good morning. I think what we are right now . Good morning. I l think what we are witnessing right now . Good morning. I. Think what we are witnessing is likely the consolidation of any Military Regime. Enough time has passed now that we have a general sense of who was in charge or who would like to be in charge and while we have seen a fair bit of International Response at this point,
and considerable effort to make niger and to support niger as a democratic exemplar in a region that has become increasingly unstable and the risk is that this decline as quickly as a result of the coup.- this decline as quickly as a result of the coup. and the alignment result of the coup. and the alignment with result of the coup. and the alignment with russia? - result of the coup. and the - alignment with russia? because thatis alignment with russia? because that is a concern right now? that is a concern in some circles and there is some refinement narrative compelling or a way to drive interest in this. we have heard nothing from the emerging junta in niger one way or another so i think it would be premature to jump think it would be premature to jump to the conclusion that naturally this is something that the kremlin will be able to take advantage of. we simply do not know what their orientation towards this is one way or another and we do not know if they are willing to give