Russia is expanding its military presence across West Africa, aiming to fill a vacuum left by the breaking of ties between the region and the US and Europe. An investigation by The Sentry showed that Moscow was using its shadow fleet to transport heavy equipment to its African allies, bypassing Western sanctions. New arms shipments routed via Guinea suggest a more cautious strategy focused on protecting troops while building a regional hub spanning Niger, Sudan and Libya. Unlike Wagner, the new force relies on Russian business networks, including subsidiaries of United Company Rusal, to support operations. The report alleges rising atrocities against civilians near the border with Mauritania. It urges sanctions from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia against firms aiding Moscow’s expansion in the Sahel.
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Russia is expanding its military presence across West Africa, aiming to fill a vacuum left by the breaking of ties between the region and the US and Europe. An investigation by The Sentry showed that Moscow was using its shadow fleet to transport heavy equipment to its African allies, bypassing Western sanctions. New arms shipments routed via Guinea suggest a more cautious strategy focused on protecting troops while building a regional hub spanning Niger, Sudan and Libya. Unlike Wagner, the new force relies on Russian business networks, including subsidiaries of United Company Rusal, to support operations. The report alleges rising atrocities against civilians near the border with Mauritania. It urges sanctions from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia against firms aiding Moscow’s expansion in the Sahel.