Russian presence in Africa: "There was a fairly gradual reinvestment from the end of the 90s"

Audio 05:05

Members of the close protection unit of the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, composed of agents of the Russian private security company Sewa Security of the Wagner group, at the Berengo palace, in August 2018. FLORENT VERGNES / AFP

By: Jeanne Richard Follow

6 mins

Russia is increasingly present in Africa through official diplomacy but also through private actors such as Evgueni Prigojine, considered the leader of the Wagner militia as well as various companies specializing in online disinformation.

In a study that has just been published, Maxime Audinet, researcher at IRSEM (Institute for Strategic Research of the Military School) and author of a thesis on Russian influence at the University of Nanterre, analyzes this Russian influence in Africa, in the Central African Republic and the Sahel in particular.

  • Russia

  • Sahel

  • Central African Republic

  • Diplomacy

On the same subject

Guest Africa

"Africa must be represented on the UN Security Council by permanent members"

French press review

In the spotlight: the 2022 horizon, the main stake of the regional and departmental elections

Analysis

Russia: what strategy in sub-Saharan Africa?