**Russia’s Africa Ensnare: Weapons Deliveries Violate Sanctions**
In a shocking revelation, the Associated Press (AP) has uncovered Russia’s secret military shipments to West African nations. The clandestine deliveries of howitzers, radio jammers, and armored vehicles violate international sanctions and further demonstrate Moscow‘s expanding influence on the continent.
According to AP sources, Russian-flagged cargo ships made their way from the Baltic Sea to a port in Guinea in late May, carrying a month-long voyage of arms supplies. The same port had received deliveries in January, consisting of tanks and armored vehicles, which were then transported by trucks to neighboring Mali. This operation was orchestrated with precision, utilizing satellite images and radio signals to evade detection.
**Mali: A Battlefield for Russian Expansion**
Russian mercenaries, part of the infamous Wagner Group, have been fighting alongside Malian government forces since 2021 in an attempt to suppress Islamic insurgents. However, their involvement has come under scrutiny due to alleged war crimes and widespread looting. The recent withdrawal announcement by the Wagner Group on June 6 doesn’t mean Africa Corps, a paramilitary group controlled by the Russian Defense Ministry, will disengage from Mali.
In fact, satellite images show that Africa Corps still maintains an active presence in the country, including the use of a Su-24 fighter-bomber. The influx of Russian arms supplies to Mali is likely aimed at solidifying Africa Corps’ grip on the region and precluding them from suffering significant losses, such as those incurred during engagements with Tuareg-led rebels.
**A Shift in Power Dynamics: Wagner’s Decline**
The shipment of Russian weapons into Mali represents a strategic maneuver by Moscow to supplant Wagner forces, which had dominated operations in Africa. After former Wagner Commander Yevgeny Prigozhin’s short-lived rebellion against Moscow in June 2023, Russia sought to tighten its control over African operations.
This shift is seen as an attempt to boost Africa Corps’ influence at the expense of Wagner, whose mercenaries have been sanctioned for their alleged war crimes and human rights abuses. Experts believe this move could accelerate Africa Corps’ rise as a dominant force in Africa, altering the power dynamics on the continent.
**The Need for Independent Journalism**
As Russia’s military footprint expands across Africa, the need for independent reporting becomes more pressing. The AP has continued to provide unvarnished coverage of these developments, even as many Western outlets struggle with censorship and financial constraints.
Independent journalism relies on the support of readers who value accurate information and critical analysis. Your contribution is invaluable in this pursuit, ensuring that crucial stories like Russia’s Africa shipments reach a global audience.
**Read More**
For more details on this story and to stay updated on similar developments, visit the AP website at kyivindependent.com.
