by Lenny “Rainbow” Ace
The recent decision adopted by Burkina Faso’s military government to demand the expulsion of French troops and the hiring of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group by Mali highlights a growing trend in Africa of nations seeking new partners and alliances to address their security challenges.
This shift away from traditional Western powers such as France can be seen as a response to perceptions that these countries have failed to improve security in the region.
The presence of the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, in Africa is a reflection of Russia’s increasing influence in the region. The company, which has been accused of human rights abuses, has been deployed in several African countries, including Sudan, Central African Republic, and Mozambique, to support governments and local armed groups in their fight against insurgency and terrorism.
The Wagner Group’s involvement in Africa raises concerns about the implications of this trend for regional stability and the human rights situation in the continent. The use of mercenaries has been criticized for undermining the accountability and transparency of military operations, and for increasing the risk of human rights violations. Furthermore, the presence of the Wagner Group in Africa could also exacerbate existing conflicts and fuel new ones, as well as undermine the efforts of the international community to promote peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, the demand of Burkina Faso for the expulsion of French troops and the hiring of Russian mercenaries by Mali highlights a growing trend in Africa of nations seeking new partners and alliances to address their security challenges. The presence of the Wagner Group in Africa raises concerns about the implications for regional stability and the human rights situation on the continent. Therefore, the international community should pay attention to this new geopolitical reality and work together to find a solution to this issue.
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author.
They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the AMeAR|News, R2iNTEL or its members.