Moscow continues to deepen its footprint in Africa

(To Antonino Lombardi)
04/10/22

We have often seen Russian flags and pro-Russia posters waving at demonstrations in Sahel countries. Shortly after the coup in Burkina Faso (January 22), the head of the Wagner Group, described Paul-Henri Damiba's seizure of power as "The beginning of a new wave of decolonization".

Easy game has Russia in the area. Popular discontent with governments, the profound humanitarian crisis, the low level of security and criticism of European assistance have facilitated Russia's establishment in the Sahel.

Burkina Faso coup leader-turned-president defended his military takeover in New York "Necessary and indispensable" acknowledging that it was "A question of survival for our nation, even if it was perhaps reprehensible in terms of principles dear to the United Nations and the international community as a whole".

The military warned that the Islamic uprising that is involving his country also presents security risks for the rest of the world, underlining that "No precaution or preventive measure will prevent terrorism from crossing the Atlantic if the Sahel is abandoned". He further stated that "Nothing can prevent the young people of the Sahelian countries and its surroundings from succumbing to the temptation of a dangerous immigration to Europe through the Sahara and the Mediterranean if these young people no longer have any hope of staying at home".

The representatives of Russia and Burkina Faso, on the sidelines of the 77a United Nations general assembly met to strengthen their cooperation especially on security matters.

The president of Burkina Faso, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba, led a mutiny last January that ousted President Roch Kaboré, accusing him of failing to contain the violence of Islamic terrorists.

The will of the new rulers is to diversify their alliances in order to acquire skills in intelligence, equipment and training to face the jihadist threat. "Currently, there is a desire to further strengthen this cooperation and bring it to a level that would be mutually beneficial for both countries," said Olivia Rouamba, Burkina Faso's foreign minister1.

Burkina Faso, like all the Sahel, has been torn apart for too many years by continuous Islamic terrorist attacks. As already repeatedly narrated, the area of ​​the three borders (Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso) has been the subject of multiple attacks in the last 10 years after the military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso (May 2021 and January 2022). Fragile governments, instability, corruption and the various coups have given way to the growth of groups with official ties to al-Qaeda or the ISIL armed group and others as a response to specific situations.

On 6 September an IED (improvised explosive device) hit a convoy in the north of the country, between the cities of Djibo and Bourzanga, killing 35 civilians.

At the beginning of August, at least 15 soldiers were killed in the area by a double IED blast on a rural road in the province of Bam, in the north-central region of the country.

On 11 June 2022, a suspected terrorist attack killed at least 100 civilians in the rural district of Seytenga, in northern Burkina Faso, near the border with Niger. No group immediately claimed responsibility, although militants linked to al-Qaeda and Isis are active in the area.

According l 'Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, more than 530 violent events occurred in the country between February and May, more than double the same period in 2021.

The latest news from Benin is of great concern. In the north of the country, terrorist attacks continue to be recorded, confirming the deep-rooted presence of jihadist cells in the country.

We will follow any developments.