How Russia is boosting its role in Africa with weapons, investment and ‘instructors’

Touting military cooperation and “instructors,” arms deals and investment, Russia is making a comeback in Africa after years of inactivity and now aims to rival European countries and even China, analysts say.

Moscow has worked hard over the last three years to strengthen its position in Africa, a pace that seems to have accelerated in recent months, they say.

Its effort is most prominent in the Central African Republic (CAR), a grindingly poor and unstable country that traditionally has turned to the former colonial power France for help.

Since the start of the year, Russia has supplied weapons to the CAR army after gaining UN authorisation to do so and provides security for President Faustin-Archange Touadera, whose security adviser is Russian.

It has also sent five military officers and 170 civilians as “instructors” for CAR’s armed forces, even though its troops are already being trained by the European Union.

Experts believe the “instructors” could be from a shadowy mercenary group named Wagner whose forces are reportedly fighting in Syria – three Russian journalists were killed in the CAR last month while investigating their activities.