Burkina Faso's junta has indicated that Russian troops may join the fight against an Islamist insurgency in West Africa, following a recent deployment of about 100 Russian military personnel to the country. Transitional President Ibrahim Traoré stated that Russia is ready to provide logistical and tactical training and sell weapons without restrictions. This comes as Russia's influence in Africa is expanding, with the continent at the center of a geopolitical contest between the Kremlin and the White House. China remains Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record $282.1 billion in 2023, a 1.5% increase year-over-year, and Chinese exports to Africa totaling $173 billion, up 7.5% from the previous year. Additionally, trade between African countries and the Eurasian Economic Union amounted to $19 billion in 2022. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has noted Moscow's presence in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso is reshaping the geopolitical landscape in the Sahel region.
Africa opens up huge opportunities for Russian business. $19 billion was the volume of trade between African countries and the Eurasian Economic Union in 2022. https://t.co/7BFG8XNxYm
Russian influence causing dilemma in Africa’s Sahel – EU foreign policy chief Moscow’s presence in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso is creating a new geopolitical configuration in the region, Josep Borrell says https://t.co/II7AZi8zW4 https://t.co/Rcj8krJp87
Trade turnover between China and Africa reached $282 billion. China's total trade with Africa grew by a modest 1.5% in 2023 to reach $282.1 billion, SCMP writes. This figure is 12 times higher than that of Russia. Chinese exports to Africa reached $173 billion, up 7.5% from… https://t.co/ky7f8b0tzc
🟢 Ibrahim Traoré said Russia is offering logistical and tactical training and is ready to sell any weapons Burkina Faso requires. Traoré said that unlike other countries, there are no restrictions on what can be bought from Russia, China, Turkey or Iran. His comments come amid… https://t.co/a4zQASzmE8
Russian troops may be sent to Burkina Faso to fight jihadists - the country's president. 🇧🇫 Transitional President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré said that Russian troops could be deployed to fight jihadists in the West African country if necessary, the head of state said this on… https://t.co/vEg3WZo7sQ
Burkina Faso’s junta said Russian troops may join the fight against an Islamist insurgency in West Africa, a week after Moscow deployed about 100 military personnel in the country https://t.co/kume8uuO2B via @bpolitics @katarinah
Burkina Faso’s junta said Russian troops may join the fight against an Islamist insurgency in West Africa, a week after Moscow deployed about 100 military personnel in the country https://t.co/6aSimiG2Wv
#China has remained #Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with a record $282.1 bln value of bilateral trade in 2023, up 1.5% YoY, the Ministry of Commerce said, noting an in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation pilot zone will be established. https://t.co/y7iEaSDkUF
Russian influence has been gaining ground across Africa in recent years, placing the continent at the crux of the growing geopolitical contest between the Kremlin and the White House. Here's what to know: https://t.co/xhQrvixVmr
NEW: Burkina says no Russians deployed to fight jihadists https://t.co/2dPC8X5JcJ