French mistakes helped create Africa’s coup belt

From Mali to Niger, anti-French sentiment on the streets has helped putschists gain legitimacy and Russia expand its influence. *By Folahanmi Aina Africa’s Sahel, home to some of the world’s poorest, most politically unstable and conflict-prone countries, is once again in crisis. With the July 26 military takeover in Niger, the region has become a true “coup belt” across the girth of Africa, and many Sahel nations are now governed by unelected military rulers. In recent years, the Sahel has also become a leading playground for violent armed groups, from Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province…