As war continues in eastern Europe, some are watching Africa instead, concerned about destabilization and the growing power of China and Russia in the region.

From Newsweek. Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe James Stavridis warned on Sunday that the conflict in Niger amid a looming deadline for coup leaders to cede power could potentially lead to a “full-blown war in Africa.”

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The Sunday deadline established by a coalition of West African nations for Niger to return to democratic rule is set to expire. The demand has been shunned by fellow military-led countries Burkina Faso and Mali, who have jointly warned that any intervention would amount to a declaration of war.

While conflict is far from guaranteed, the conditions for a major escalation are quickly brewing on a continent that has played host to some of the deadliest wars of the past century. Some believe that such a confrontation would have vast ramifications, not only for the people of the Sahel region, but far beyond, with the potential to draw in the likes of the United States, France and Russia among other invested powers. …

On Friday, defense chiefs from the West African nations finalized an intervention plan and urged militaries to ready resources after negotiations with Niger’s military junta stalled, the Associated Press reported. …

While speaking to The New York Times on Saturday via phone, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Nigerian chief of defense staff, told the newspaper, “Democracy must be restored, through diplomacy or force.” …

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(Excerpt from Newsweek. Photo Credit: -/AFP via Getty Images)