The military coup in Niger

Supporters of the junta demonstrate in Niger. Sam Mednick / AP  

The junta asks Wagner for help as the deadline approaches  

The military junta in Niger has asked the Russian Wagner group for military support, AP reports. That after the countries of the West African Union Ecowas threatened to enter the country militarily if the junta does not return power to the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum by tomorrow at the latest.  

The request must have come after one of the coup leaders met a representative from Wagner in Mali in the past few days, says journalist Wassim Nasr to AP.  

- They need Wagner because they would become their guarantee for maintaining power, he says. 

Earlier this week, Bazoum warned that the entire Sahel region could fall into Wagner's hands if the outside world does not act against the military junta.  

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP  

The US pauses aid to Niger after the military coup  

The US is pausing parts of its aid to Niger after the military coup, says Foreign Minister Antony Blinken in a statement. That's what CNN writes. 

It is mainly about programs that benefit Niger's government, according to Blinken. He points out, however, that humanitarian aid and food aid will continue to be given to the country. 

In recent days, the United States has issued a travel advisory to Niger and evacuated parts of the embassy staff in the country.