American Diplomacy posted in May 2024 a commentary titled "A New Face, But an Old Tactic: History Offers Clues on Stopping Russia's African Advance" by Herman J. Cohen, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
Russia offers military support to unstable regimes across Africa, helping them retain power in exchange for diplomatic allegiance and natural resources. This is essentially a continuation of Soviet-era Africa policy.
While authoritarian leaders such as the head of the Central African Republic secure their positions with Wagner Group support, little benefit is shared with the general population. In the meantime, US policymakers need to stay focused on a strategy of fostering economic development.
