Russia in West Africa

THE STORY SIMPLIFIED

For a detailed and zoomable view of our extensive event map, click here.

CRITICAL CONTEXT

 Soviet-African History:

• From the 1950s to the 1970s, the Soviet Union played a crucial role in Africa's decolonization efforts, providing economic aid, military support for liberation movements, and educational opportunities to many nations. These actions were part of a broader strategy to expand Soviet influence and counter Western powers.

Ongoing Economic and Governance Challenges:

The Sahel region of Africa has experienced prolonged economic challenges and governance issues, particularly concerning food security, which have significantly contributed to its current instability. Key factors include:

• Dependency on Imports: The region's reliance on imported goods has driven up the cost of living, exacerbating economic difficulties for the population.

• Ineffective Policy Solutions: Government initiatives aimed at addressing these challenges have largely failed to produce the desired outcomes.

• State-Associated Corruption: Reports indicate that many of these policies have been undermined by corruption and mismanagement, often benefiting state-affiliated individuals rather than the broader population.

PUBLIC OPINION CAMPAIGNING

Africa has become a battleground for media influence among world powers such as France, the USA, China, and Russia. Western nations have accused Russia of spreading misinformation and fueling anti-colonial sentiment.

Key points include:

• U.S. General Michael Langley warned the Senate that U.S. influence in Africa is being overshadowed by Russian misinformation.

• It has been documented that 'foreign powers' are disseminating false narratives across Africa.

• Meta revealed that France was involved in a public opinion campaign in the Central African Republic specifically targeting Russia.

TRANSITION AND REJECTION OF WESTERN ASSISTANCE

In recent years, several coup d'états have occurred across West Africa, leading to a shift away from former Western allies. Key developments include:

• Niger ordered the USA to withdraw troops, leaving behind significant military investments. The USA had used Niger as a regional headquarters.

• After nearly a decade of assisting in the fight against Islamic extremist groups, French troops were pressured to withdraw from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

• United Nations peacekeepers were asked to leave the Sahel region.

THE ISSUE OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISM

The Sahel region has been increasingly targeted by extremist groups such as al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and Boko Haram, necessitating a continued reliance on "hard force" to maintain security and power.

• In the 18 months following the coup in Burkina Faso, terrorist attacks by extremist groups increased by 46%.

• These groups have escalated their attacks on both civilians and military units.

RUSSIA LENDS HELP

With Western forces expelled, and facing the need to combat terrorism alongside rising pro-Russian public opinion, the Sahel states have turned to Russia for security and economic aid.

• The Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has established a significant presence in the region. In Mali, Wagner has been rebranded as the African Corps, now largely responsible for internal security but also linked to numerous civilian casualties.

• Russia has provided economic aid, including a 25,000-ton wheat shipment to Burkina Faso and allowing the shipment of Ukrainian wheat through the Russian-controlled Black Sea “for Africa”.

• Russia has sold weapons and offered military training to several nations in the region.

BENEFITS TO RUSSIA

/

Russia has gained significantly from its involvement in Africa, particularly in two key areas:

Access to Natural Resources:

Russian entities have secured extensive access to critical resources in the resource-rich region:

• Oil, gas, uranium, and lithium agreements between the Malian and Russian governments since March 2024.

• A gold mining permit granted to Russian-owned Nordgold in Burkina Faso.

• Reports suggest that Russians are seeking to influence Niger's laws to remove French access to uranium mines.

Beyond the Sahel region, Russia has also gained access to diamonds and gold in the Central African Republic, chromite in Madagascar, and uranium in Namibia.

Gaining Geo-political Support:

• During Russia’s war with Ukraine, Western powers have taken a anti-Russia stance. African nations, which make up the largest voting bloc in the United Nations, hold significant global influence.

• Many African nations have chosen to maintain neutrality in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

UKRAINE IN THE SAHEL

This month, Russia accused Ukraine of opening a second front in the Ukraine-Russian war by becoming active in the Sahel region. Notably:

• Russia accused Ukraine of assisting terrorists in the region, which Ukraine denies.

• Ukraine hinted at providing intelligence to rebel groups, with Ukrainian official Andriy Yusov suggesting that they "enabled" a significant attack on the Malian Army and Wagner Group.

• Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger all stated that foreign intervention would be considered an act of war and have taken the issue to the United Nations.

The shifting dynamics in West Africa, driven by a series of coups, the expulsion of Western forces, and the rise of Russian influence, have created a complex geopolitical landscape. Russia’s strategic involvement, particularly through military support and resource acquisition, has solidified its presence in the region, posing new challenges to Western interests and altering the balance of power. As these events continue to unfold, the implications for both Africa and the broader international community will be significant.