What to know about Russia’s growing footprint in Africa
- June 8, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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What to know about Russia’s growing footprint in Africa
Sub: IR
Sec: Places in news
Russia’s Influence Expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Russia is increasing its influence in Africa, particularly in the sub-Saharan Sahel region, through military assistance and security partnerships, primarily displacing traditional Western allies like France and the United States.
Sab Saharan Africa:
- Sub-Saharan Africa, Subsahara, or Non-Mediterranean Africa is the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lie south of the Sahara.
- These include Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa.
Sahel region:
- The Sahel region or Sahelian acacia savanna is a biogeographical region in Africa.
- It is the transition zone between the more humid Sudanian savannas to its south and the drier Sahara to the north.
- The Sahel has a hot semi-arid climate and stretches across the southernmost latitudes of North Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea.
- Although geographically located in the tropics, the Sahel does not have a tropical climate.
Recent Diplomatic Efforts:
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov toured Guinea, the Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Chad.
- Lavrov’s visits signify Moscow‘s intention to strengthen military cooperation with African nations.
- Military Cooperation:
- Russia uses private security companies like Wagner and its potential successor, Africa Corps, to provide military support.
- Russian mercenaries assist in protecting African leaders and combating extremist groups.
- The Polish Institute of International Affairs highlighted Russia’s creation of the Africa Corps to assertively expand its military presence in Africa.
- Political Dynamics:
- Russia seeks political support or neutrality from African nations regarding its invasion of Ukraine.
- African nations, forming the largest voting bloc at the United Nations, have shown divided stances on resolutions condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
- Russian-linked entities have been spreading disinformation to undermine African ties with the West, as documented by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.
Reasons for African Nations Turning to Russia:
- Political unrest and dissatisfaction with former colonial powers, especially France, have led some African countries to seek new alliances.
- Military coups in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso ousted pro-Western governments, turning to Russia for non-interfering security assistance.
- Moscow exchanges military support for access to mineral resources.
Resources and Economic Interests:
- Africa’s rich mineral resources, including cobalt, lithium, gold, diamonds, and oil, are central to global economic and national security.
- Russia has secured mining deals in countries with limited governance, such as gold and diamonds in the Central African Republic, cobalt in Congo, and uranium in Namibia.
- Despite its growing role in the oil and mining sectors, Russia remains a minor trading partner for Africa, with less than 1% of Africa’s exports going to Russia compared to 33% to the European Union.
Russian Mercenary Operations in Africa:
- Wagner’s presence in Africa began in 2017 in Sudan, supporting then-President Omar al-Bashir in exchange for gold mining concessions.
- Russian contractors supported Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter and provided security in the Central African Republic in exchange for access to gold and diamond mines.
- Military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, critical of the West, have expelled Western forces and invited Russian military support.
- Niger’s junta recently ordered the US to withdraw its troops and close a significant military base, leading to the arrival of Russian trainers and new defence equipment.
Source: IE