Russian traces in Burkina Faso
07.10.2022
Russia is expanding its influence in Africa in order to achieve global political ambitions and in search of economic benefits. The African continent is also becoming a battleground for Moscow against the West. By becoming involved in local conflicts, Russia is fueling anti-Western sentiment, destabilizing the region and working to make it dependent on itself in terms of security and economy, among other things.
Among the countries remaining in Russia's orbit of influence in Africa – i.e.: Mali, Niger, Sudan, the Central African Republic or Mozambique, is joined by Burkina Faso, struggling with a growing crisis and internal problems.
Insecurity, the dire economic situation, unstable governance, the progressive impoverishment of the population and anti-French sentiment fueled by Russian propaganda have led to another military coup in that country within months.
The situation in Burkina Faso, famous for its high level of jihadist activity, is a problem for the whole of West Africa. The country's new authorities have announced that they will fight the terrorist threat from groups operating from Burkina Faso's territory, with the help of mercenaries from the Wagner Group. Russia and Turkey are mentioned as future partners of the Ouagadougou authorities to counterbalance the hitherto dominant French influence. With the change of power at the top, those advocating an increase in Russian influence have come to the fore demanding the withdrawal of French forces from Burkina Faso and their replacement with mercenaries from the Wagner Group. The country's natural wealth resources, which are currently the main source of funding for terrorists, may encourage the expansion of Prigozhin's men into the area.
As has been the case in other countries in the region, pro-Russian sentiment is fueled by the actions of Russian agents of influence active in Africa, as well as internet trolls present in virtual communication media spreading Kremlin propaganda.
The realization of Russian interests in Burkina Faso is further facilitated by entities with direct links to Moscow, i.e.: a thriving honorary consulate of the Russian Federation or the Association of Former Students and Scholars of the Soviet Union, whose members include academics and officers of the armed forces. Pro-Russian activities are also undertaken by NGOs identifying themselves as Pan-Africanist e.g.: Coalition of African Patriots in Burkina Faso. They support, among other things, the idea of engaging the Wagner Group mercenaries to combat the terrorist threat present in the country. Anti-Western, anti-French and pro-Russian attitudes are also characteristic of the growing local associations of followers of radical Islam - Wahhabism.
The appearance of the Wagner Group mercenaries in yet another African country will lead to a deepening crisis of power, security and further destabilization of the region. In an informal way, Russia is subjugating further territories in Africa, building up its military and political base, and profiting from its rich natural resource deposits, thus offsetting the effects of the sanctions imposed on it by the West. The achievement of the above goals is made possible by the Moscow regime's extensive propaganda efforts in Africa.
Stanisław Żaryn
Government Plenipotentiary for the Security of Information Space of the Republic of Poland