Burkina Faso coup fuels fears of growing Russian mercenary presence in Sahel

North Africa analysts believe new leader Ibrahim Traore may seek help from Moscow in fight against Islamic extremists

Russian mercenaries may be poised for further expansion in Africa's strategically important Sahel region after the latest coup d'etat in the region, western officials and analysts fear.

Ibrahim Traore, a 34-year-old army captain, took power in Burkina Faso on Friday, overthrowing Lt Col Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, who he accused of failing to effectively counter rising violence by Islamic extremists in the unstable and poverty-stricken country.