Burkina Faso: Russia to Provide More Military Aid, Instructors
Burkina Faso: Russia to Provide More Military Aid, Instructors
The Facts
On his latest Africa tour Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday pledged more military support to Burkina Faso in fighting jihadist groups operating in the country.
Lavrov announced that the number of "Russian instructors" in the West African country will increase and that Moscow will continue to supply military equipment "to eliminate the remaining terrorist groups."On his latest Africa tour Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday pledged more military support to Burkina Faso in fighting jihadists after holding talks with the leader of the interim military government Ibrahim Traoré.
The Spin
Lavrov's Africa tour highlights the growing strategic relevance Russia attaches to Africa and its growing popularity on the continent. Moscow is building on its anti-imperialist legacy and positions itself as a credible partner unlike the West and its neo-colonialist and imperialist policies. This Mutual trust creates a win-win situation with Moscow consolidating its position in the international arena while African countries gain a partner respecting their national sovereignty.
Russia's increasing commitment to Africa is primarily due to its growing international isolation following its Ukraine invasion. For years, the US warned that Russia is aggressively seeking to expand its influence in Africa - without achieving any tangible success in combating Islamist terror. Moscow presents itself as an advocate for poor African countries, but is merely pursuing the goal of securing the loyalty of authoritarian regimes atto thecounter expense of the West.
