Over the past decade, Vladimir Putin has significantly reasserted Russia’s military and diplomatic presence in Africa, challenging Western and French influence. This strategic shift, largely overlooked by the West due to preoccupation with Europe and Asia, emerged from Moscow’s actions following the 2014 annexation of Crimea and its intervention in eastern Ukraine. Russia’s African strategy began in Sudan in 2017. Then, it expanded to the Central African Republic and later the Sahel region, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. To achieve its goals, Russia leveraged post-colonial resentment present on the continent and the mercenaries of the Wagner militia. Despite Putin’s limited visits to Africa, he orchestrated Moscow’s return to Africa by building on old Soviet connections. More importantly, Russia’s resurgence on the continent has led to the breaking of ties with the west, with Niger and Mali driving out the American and French troops on their soils.
SOURCE: LE MONDE
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