Ukraine counters Russia's Africa influence with military training offer in West Africa

Business Insider

4 days ago

Ukraine is stepping up its engagement in West Africa with a new offer to provide military training to Mauritanian forces, in a move widely seen as a response to Russia's expanding influence across the Sahel region.
Ukraine proposes military training for Mauritanian forces to counter Russian influence in the Sahel region.
This initiative highlights Kyiv's expansion of its foreign policy focus into African geopolitics.
Both nations are engaging in Africa to build alliances and secure strategic postures amidst ongoing global rivalry.
The initiative reflects Kyiv's evolving foreign policy, which now extends beyond Europe into African geopolitics, as the war with Russia takes on a more global dimension.
Speaking to Reuters, Maksym Subkh, Ukraine's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, confirmed that Kyiv is prepared to train officers and personnel from Mauritania's armed forces.
This offer comes amid heightened tensions between Mauritania and neighbouring Mali, where Russian-backed forces are reportedly supporting the Malian government against separatist Tuareg rebels.
Subkh criticized Moscow's growing military footprint in the Sahel, warning that Russia's involvement is ' undermining stability ' in the region.
He noted that Ukraine had previously trained Mauritanian personnel before the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 and is ready to resume such efforts as part of broader international cooperation.
The training offer positions Mauritania as a new front in the Ukraine-Russia rivalry, and underscores Ukraine's strategic effort to build alliances in Africa, both to counter Russian narratives and to garner broader international support.
As Kyiv looks to strengthen its ties with African nations, the move may also signal Ukraine's intent to contribute to regional stability through security partnerships and defense diplomacy.
Russia's growing influence in Africa amid the Ukraine war
Russia's expanding presence in Africa has become an extension of its global power contest with Ukraine, as both nations seek new allies far beyond Europe.
Since the outbreak of the full-scale war in 2022, Moscow has accelerated military and economic partnerships across the continent, offering security assistance, weapons, and grain to African governments, particularly in fragile states like Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic.
This outreach is not just about influence; it's also about legitimacy. By aligning with African nations, Russia aims to demonstrate it is not globally isolated despite Western sanctions.
In return, many African leaders, frustrated with Western conditional aid, view Moscow as a more flexible and pragmatic partner.
Ukraine is now responding. Kyiv has intensified diplomatic efforts on the continent, recently offering military training to Mauritania, part of a broader push to counter Russian sway in the Sahel.
Ukrainian officials have also warned that Russia's presence is destabilizing the region, turning Africa into a new front in their conflict.
As the war drags on, the Russia-Ukraine rivalry is playing out across Africa, reshaping alliances and turning the continent into a new arena of global competition.