CNN posted on 18 January 2025 a commentary titled "Across Africa, Russia Is Growing in Influence. What Might Moscow Want?" by Nimi Princewill.
Moscow is seeking to expand its influence beyond the Sahel region of Africa, sometimes offering to serve essentially as a Praetorian Guard for authoritarian African leaders. It also seeks to control African natural resources for economic gain.
The CTC Sentinel published in December 2024 an analysis titled "Africa Corps: Has Russia Hit a Ceiling in Africa?" by Christopher Faulkner, Marcel Plichta, and Raphael Parens.
Russia's Africa Corps deployment in Africa's Sahel region has done little to curb jihadi violence. It is not even clear that Moscow has a Sahel strategy. Russia's recent setback in Syria will make success in the Sahel even more questionable. The Africa Corps is encountering significant challenges. In Niger and Burkina Faso, the Africa Corps looks more like a Praetorian Guard to keep military regime leaders in power.
Africa Defense Forum, published by U.S. Africa Command, posted on 20 February 2024 an article titled "Burkina Faso Opens Door for Russia's Africa Corps."
A Russian contingent of 100 military personnel has arrived in Burkina Faso to ensure the safety of the country's military leader, Ibrahim Traore. The Africa Corps, the successor of the Wagner Group, is under the control of Russia's Ministry of Defense.
china-africa relations
