According to the Geopolitical Influence & Peace study, ideological disparities between major global powers have grown, with authoritarian countries like China and Russia calling for alternative systems of government in contrast to liberal democracies.
This has resonated with several African countries, especially in the Sahel region, which have been on a campaign to get rid of Western influence, and in its place, Russia’s partnership.
Depending on the current socio-economic or political situation in said, regions, some countries have opted for Russian economic cooperation, while others are looking for military ties.
Subsequently, those looking for military ties are either going to vie for arms trade or direct military cooperation.
Although several of these nations view this as a positive step, research suggests that Russian activities in Africa, particularly under the Wagner group are purportedly related to its commercial interests.
A report by the Grey Zone Report highlights this, stating, “Since its first documented military engagement in Africa, in late 2017, Wagner has expanded aggressively.
It has deployed troops to five African countries (to date), while groups linked to Prigozhin have been present in some capacity (either military, economic or political) in over a dozen African countries.”
Outside of Wagner activities, a good number of African countries have some form of arms trade deal with Russia.
Below are the African countries that have agreed to a military partnership with Russia, according to the Grey Report.
List of African countries with a military cooperation agreement with Russia
| Country | Military cooperation agreement with Russia |
Nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia |
|---|---|---|
|
Algeria |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Egypt |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Morocco |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Libya |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Tunisia |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Sudan |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Nigeria |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Ghana |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Cabo Verde |
✔ |
|
|
Gambia |
✔ |
|
|
Guinea-Bissau |
✔ |
|
|
Sierra Leone |
✔ |
|
|
Burkina Faso |
✔ |
|
|
Mali |
✔ |
|
|
Niger |
✔ |
|
|
Chad |
✔ |
|
|
Cameroon |
✔ |
|
|
Central Africa Republic |
✔ |
|
|
Congo Republic |
✔ |
|
|
Democratic Republic of Congo |
✔ |
|
|
Eritrea |
✔ |
|
|
Ethiopia |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Burundi |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Rwanda |
✔ |
|
|
Tanzania |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Angola |
✔ |
|
|
Zambia |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Zimbabwe |
✔ |
|
|
Botswana |
✔ |
|
|
Eswatini |
✔ |
|
|
Mozambique |
✔ |
|
|
Madagascar |
✔ |
