As part of my business trip last week, I got a brief opportunity to explore Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
I finally made my way to this country that had been on my to-do list for a while, and I had the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on many topics.
The Sahel region has been in the spotlight due to a series of military coups. Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Chad are leading the way in this trend. The common thread among these four countries is their colonial past with France, which is now evident in their strained relationships with the country, as reflected in their political structures. It can be observed from this moment that the diminishing French influence in the region is making room for the rising Russian supporters. The display of anti-French sentiments, civil disturbances, and opposition to the government are important signals of Russian backing in these nations.
Something has changed, and it’s eye-catching. I came across graffiti praising Russia, and the presence of Russian soldiers on the streets of Burkina Faso highlighted the country’s growing Russian influence. There is a notable amount of sympathy and respect for Russia among the public, which is uncommon in African nations but not in the unique case of Burkina Faso. This shift also has a commercial aspect. The country’s rapprochement with Russia implies a move away from traditional trading partners like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and closer ties with socialist-based producing countries such as Russia and China.
Wherever I journeyed, whether in different countries or lands, I consistently observed products largely of European origin. However, the diminishing Western influence in Burkina Faso’s trade has led to a near absence of EU products, as the Eastern bloc strengthens its political influence in the region’s trade dynamics.
Russia’s initial major deployment in Burkina Faso involved sending approximately 100 military personnel to the country, with the intention of solidifying its influence in the troubled parts of West Africa. As per the announcement from the Russian-African Corps, the initial unit, equivalent to one-third of the proposed force, will have the responsibility of protecting the security of Burkina Faso’s military regime leader and its citizens. A statement from the Africa Initiative, a pro-Russian organization, disclosed that military experts would be supporting Burkina Faso troops by providing training and equipment for patrolling dangerous areas. On the flip side, Russia has begun offering substantial food ingredients support to Burkina Faso. By donating 25 000 tons of wheat in January 2024, showed its support to Burkina Faso and the world, especially France. Russia has provided free grain not just to Burkina Faso, but also to nations like Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic, and Eritrea. Moreover, Russia has demonstrated a renewed interest in the region by re-establishing its embassy in Burkina Faso after a 32-year gap. The trend indicates that Russia will have a more prominent position in sub-Saharan Africa, both in terms of commerce and politics, in the near future.
How did Russia’s Africa policy look yesterday? What changes are happening today?
Having entered a restructuring process with the end of the Cold War following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia’s quest to get closer to Africa and expand its cooperation in various fields has been attracting attention for a while. The Russian footprint in Africa has been particularly significant after 2006, reflecting the strategic approach to reengaging with the continent that was set in motion during the Putin era. Russia hosted its first African summit in 2019, gathering African leaders in Sochi.
The African continent became a key arena for ideological and military conflicts between the two superpowers during the Cold War, with the Soviets playing a major role in global politics. Proxy civil wars and conflicts occurred along the Cold War fault lines in countries like Ethiopia, Angola, and Mozambique. Following independence, several African nations received Soviet support and implemented development initiatives based on socialist-Marxist principles. Due to this influence, the countries received technical and military assistance from the Soviets, in addition to the presence of Soviet military bases. It is also confirmed that Moscow gave ideological and material aid to independence movements in Africa, including the ANC (African National Congress), as they secured independence during the decolonization phase. As a result, a notable group of African elites express sympathy and appreciation towards the Soviets, providing a valuable edge for Russia’s expanding presence in Africa. Additionally, Russia maintains its position as the top supplier of arms to the African continent, accounting for up to 40 percent of sales.
In addition to this, efforts are being made to strengthen religious connections with Orthodox communities in Africa. The objective is to build a sphere of influence through the reinforcement of religious bonds between the Orthodox population of about 60 million in Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Eritrea and the Russian Orthodox Church. Consequently, it is evident that Russia has identified the African continent as a key target region in recent years, employing all available strategies to solidify its presence and influence.
