Putin wants Africa on his side. African leaders are playing their own game
Russia is seeking allies and expanding its influence abroad as its war in Ukraine drags on. African governments, meanwhile, are cozying up to the Kremlin for reasons of their own. As he hosted the third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow this week, President Vladimir Putin portrayed Russia as a better partner for Africa than the West, … The post Putin wants Africa on his side. African leaders are…
President Vladimir Putin is actively courting African nations as his war in Ukraine continues. At a summit in Moscow, he framed Russia as a superior partner for Africa compared to the West, which he accused of exploiting the continent and using debt to hinder growth. Putin maintained that Russian businesses foster local employment and tax revenue, while avoiding predatory practices.
African leaders, however, are increasingly aligning themselves with Moscow for various reasons, not just a choice between Russia and the West. Tighisti Amare, a Chatham House analyst, describes this as "diversified non-alignment," where countries maintain relationships with multiple partners. Some seek security assistance, while others desire agricultural support, energy investments, or diplomatic backing.
The Sahel region, a semiarid belt south of the Sahara, is a primary concern for Russia. With Russia's Africa Corps, a paramilitary unit that took over much of the work of the disbanded Wagner Group, Russian military presence has expanded in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These countries turned to Russia after severing ties with Western partners.
Russia is also pursuing a naval presence in the Red Sea via a proposed facility in Sudan. The transition from Wagner to Africa Corps involved more than just a name change. Now operating openly under the Defense Ministry and military intelligence, the new force focuses on training, advising, and protecting strategic locations, rather than just fighting.
However, the outcomes have been mixed. In Mali, Russian forces aided in retaking the northeastern city of Kidal, but insecurity has increased, and the Africa Corps has suffered substantial losses. Burkina Faso has seen Russian personnel focus on protecting the government during political unrest. In Niger, Russia's involvement has been less significant. In the Central African Republic, Russia's effectiveness is uncertain due to the government's resistance to the transition.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
