Do the Russians plan to expand their reach in Africa?

It is Sergey Lavrov’s first trip to Mali as foreign minister of the Russian Federation.

To combat armed groups in Mali, the government has turned to Moscow for assistance. France’s former colonial rulers have been replaced by troops from the Wagner Group.

Several African nations now employ Wagner, a private military organization run by a Putin ally.

Is Moscow encroaching on the African continent at the expense of Western powers?

Presenter: Adrian Finighan

Guests:

Sergei Markov – director, Institute of Political Studies

Ovigwe Eguegu – policy analyst, Africa-focused Development Reimagined consultancy

Gesine Weber – fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States

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Source: aljazeera.com