BERLIN: German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that the West is losing ground to Russia in Africa’s Sahel region, which he says is strategically significant due to Russia’s competing presence in the area.
Speaking to parliament on Wednesday, Pistorius highlighted Berlin’s plans to deploy German troops in a European Union (EU) military mission in Niger, which is at risk of violence spillover from neighbouring Mali.
Pistorius stated that despite significant international support, the security situation in the Sahel region has not improved. He linked the situation to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and stated that since then, the geostrategic and security policy environment in Africa has become harsher.
Pistorius added that “Russian narratives and offers seem to gain traction here, and the Western community is losing ground here.”
The Sahel region of Africa is significant due to its proximity to Europe and the Middle East and its potential to provide an unstable environment for extremist groups to operate.
Pistorius underlined the region’s strategic importance, stating that “the Sahel is and will remain strategically relevant for precisely this reason, especially given the Russian presence in the region.”
German deployment in Niger requires parliamentary approval
The German deployment in Niger will require parliamentary approval. The European Union’s mission in the area aims to train and equip local forces to tackle extremist groups operating in the region. However, the situation remains challenging, with various extremist groups, including al Qaeda and Islamic State, operating in the region and launching deadly attacks against civilians and security forces.
Pistorius’s comments highlight growing concern among Western nations about Russia’s growing influence in Africa. Moscow has been expanding its presence on the continent in recent years, with Russian mercenaries and weapons being deployed to various countries. Russia’s increasing influence in Africa could challenge Western countries’ economic, political, and security interests.
Pistorius’s warning that the West is losing ground to Russia in the Sahel region should serve as a wake-up call for Western nations to reassess their approach to Africa and ensure that they continue to play a prominent role in the region. The situation in the Sahel remains challenging, and it is vital that Western nations work together to address the underlying causes of instability in the region.
