Kremlin efforts fail drastically as Russia loses influence in Africa
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot (photo: Getty Images)
Russia has suffered a setback on the African continent, as its economic model has proven ineffective. Attempts to buy the loyalty of local elites are doomed to fail in the long term, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation.
Moscow fails economically
After the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi, the French foreign minister noted that trade and investment volumes between France and Africa are currently significantly higher than the Russian share on the continent.
This situation indicates that the Russian economic model has proven unsustainable.
It is based primarily on the primitive exploitation of natural resources in the Sahel countries in exchange for mercenary services provided by the so-called Africa Corps.
Temporary loyalty of elites
All large-scale Russian financial injections into African projects, as well as repeated decisions to forgive billions in debt, are unable to secure long-term results for Moscow.
The Kremlin is currently focused only on buying the support of local leadership. However, such steps are purely temporary and ultimately doomed to fail, as they do not create a real economic foundation for regional development.
Due to the lack of a systemic approach, Russia's position in Africa is expected to become increasingly vulnerable over time.
Russia recruits Africans for war
Recently, Russia has significantly intensified efforts to recruit foreign nationals for combat operations. Recruitment by Moscow of citizens from African countries for the war against Ukraine is rapidly expanding.
According to analysts, propaganda and involvement efforts currently target residents of about 40 African countries.
To achieve these goals, the Kremlin is even using humanitarian tools. In particular, the Russian agency dubbed Rossotrudnichestvo (Russian cooperation – ed.) has opened a so-called "cultural center" in the Republic of Togo.
Behind the façade of language and cultural education lies anti-Western propaganda, the spread of disinformation, and covert recruitment of local populations into the Russian armed forces.
At the same time, Moscow is increasing its direct presence on the continent. Intelligence data indicate that Russia's military contingent in Africa has grown by as many as 8,000 personnel.
In addition to manpower, Russia is actively deploying drones to the region, creating serious additional risks for global security and potentially strengthening local terrorist organizations.
