Soldiers in Burkina Faso conducting drills. The country is among a group of sub-Saharan African nations whose leaders have appealed to Moscow for help in combating the Islamic State and Al Qaeda.CreditLaetitia Vancon for The New York Times
New York Times: Russia’s Military Mission Creep Advances to a New Front: Africa
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Russia has been steadily expanding its military influence across Africa, alarming Western officials with increasing arms sales, security agreements and training programs for unstable countries or autocratic leaders.
In the Central African Republic, where a Russian has been installed as the president’s national security adviser, the government is selling mining rights for gold and diamonds at a fraction of their worth to hire trainers and buy arms from Moscow. Russia is seeking to ensconce itself on NATO’s southern flank by helping a former general in Libya fight for control over his government and vast oil market.
Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, brought in Russian mercenaries in January to help shore up his rule against nationwide protests. And last spring, five sub-Saharan African countries — Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania — appealed to Moscow to help their overtaxed militaries and security services combat the Islamic State and Al Qaeda.
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WNU Editor: This blog has always stated that the next "Great Game" will be in Africa. Russia. China. Europe. The U.S.. They are now positioning themselves to play it.
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