The current signing of agreements on anti-terrorism military-technical cooperation between Russia and 33 African international locations portends a superb omen for a continent ravaged by internecine wars and ethnic-religious conflicts. Africa certainly wants all the assistance it might muster to convey sanity and normalcy in its geo-polity. However Africa have to be cautious to not flip herself right into a keen pawn within the worldwide wrestle for supremacy amongst main world international locations.
Finally, terrorism and different strife will persist in Africa till African leaders take full cost and duty for his or her affairs. No nation or organisation is prone to make supreme sacrifices to rid Africa of conflicts and terror, until such sacrifices are geared in the direction of an ulterior motive of such international locations, and with critical collateral compromise of African international locations and the continent.
In a mixed and renewed effort to deal with terrorism and different prison actions in Africa, Russia and 33 African international locations have just lately signed agreements on military-technical cooperation. Provided that terrorism poses a menace to world safety and stability, these agreements give attention to combating terrorism, offering coaching, sharing intelligence, and addressing regional safety points as a path to peace and stability in Africa and the world.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has provided what he described as “complete help” for Africa, notably within the wrestle towards terrorism and extremism. Hopefully, these efforts will help in combating terrorism and prison actions in African international locations.
These collaborations are a part of broader Russia-Africa initiatives aimed toward strengthening ties in varied sectors corresponding to commerce, training, and infrastructure improvement. Though the complete listing of the 33 international locations which have signed army agreements with Russia has not been publicly disclosed, international locations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic are confirmed members. This is because of their ongoing partnerships with Russia, notably by means of military-technical cooperation and the presence of personal army teams corresponding to Wagner of their areas.
Whereas Nigeria shouldn’t be confirmed as a beneficiary of this settlement, she maintains diplomatic and commerce relations with Russia, however has not pursued intensive army agreements like different African nations, corresponding to Mali, the Central African Republic, or Sudan. As a substitute, Nigeria has traditionally established army cooperation with China and Western nations, corresponding to america and the UK, receiving arms, coaching, and intelligence help.
As a pacesetter throughout the Financial Neighborhood of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria is understandably cautious about aligning with Russia, particularly as international locations like Mali and Burkina Faso, that are near Russia, have clashed with ECOWAS insurance policies.
The military-technical cooperation between Russia and the 33 African international locations is commendable. Sharing army expertise, info administration, and joint motion to stop terrorist assaults and fight the financing of terrorism in Africa is a minimal that Africa wants, given the intensive harm that banditry and terrorism have inflicted on the continent.
Nonetheless, African international locations shouldn’t permit the military-technical cooperation to be tied to neo-colonialist circumstances or used to use African nations or promote Russia’s political and financial pursuits in Africa. Russia’s rising army engagement in Africa is a part of its broader technique to reestablish affect on the continent, typically as a counterbalance to Western powers like america, France, and the European Union. Army-technical cooperation shouldn’t be a ploy to counterbalance the affect of america, France, and the European Union in Africa, particularly to the detriment of African nations.
These army agreements will allow African international locations to entry inexpensive arms and ammunition. Russia gives comparatively low-cost army gear, making superior weaponry accessible to cash-strapped governments. Such army cooperation will allow African army forces to profit from Russian coaching programmes, thereby enhancing their operational capabilities.Army partnerships with Russia permit African international locations to diversify their alliances, decreasing over-reliance on Western nations. In battle zones, Russian personal army firms (PMCs) and advisors present quick safety options, typically serving to governments preserve energy.
Within the Central African Republic (CAR), Russian help has been pivotal in propping up the federal government towards insurgent forces. Russian PMCs present safety for the regime whereas securing entry to sources like diamonds. In Sudan and Chad, Russia’s presence counterbalances Western-backed initiatives, probably altering the regional stability of energy. Russia has additionally offered army help to Mozambique in its battle towards ISIS-linked insurgents in Cabo Delgado Province of Mozambique. Nonetheless, preliminary Russian efforts in Mozambique confronted criticism for poor execution, main the nation to diversify its safety partnerships.
Whereas South Africa has been much less straight concerned in army agreements, its partnership with Russia by means of the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) has influenced its broader stance on world points, together with its non-alignment within the Russia-Ukraine battle. Russian PMCs have performed a task in Libya’s ongoing battle, supporting factions like Basic Haftar’s Libyan Nationwide Military. This exacerbates divisions however secures Russian affect within the oil-rich area.
Algeria, a key Russian arms buyer, continues to profit from superior weaponry, solidifying its regional army dominance. Egypt has balanced its ties with the West and Russia, leveraging its agreements to strengthen its army and diversify its sources of arms. For Eritrea, aligning with Russia provides a substitute for Western stress, notably concerning human rights.
In West Africa, the rising alignment of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger with Russia is shifting the regional stability of energy. This might impression Nigeria, notably in its battle towards Boko Haram and different rebel teams. If these neighbouring international locations undertake Russian-style army methods or deploy Russian PMCs, Nigeria may have to regulate its safety coordination mechanisms.
Nonetheless, the long-term army cooperation between Russia and 33 African international locations might create dependence on Russian army help, probably undermining the sovereignty and autonomy of African nations. Such agreements would possibly pressure nationwide budgets, particularly in African international locations already burdened by debt. These offers typically prioritise Russian pursuits, corresponding to securing sources, over the event wants of African nations. Useful resource extraction from these international locations will bolster Russia’s financial system, granting entry to helpful African sources corresponding to gold, oil, and diamonds, which Russia might exploit to its benefit.
Whereas Russian agreements intention to stabilise regimes, they typically intensify competitors between world powers, probably exacerbating regional instability. All stated, Nigeria ought to discover army agreements with Russia to diversify her defence partnerships, getting access to Russian arms, know-how, and coaching. Such collaboration might improve Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts, particularly within the northeast, the place it faces long-standing insurgencies.Though the agreements between Russia and 33 African international locations might circuitously contain Nigeria, they might considerably form the area’s safety, political, and financial dynamics, probably benefiting Nigeria.
Subsequently, Nigeria ought to rigorously navigate this evolving panorama, balancing its pursuits whereas defending its sovereignty and regional management position.
