Russia Deepens Military and Economic Ties with African Nations, Forms 'African Corps'
Russia has significantly deepened its military and economic cooperation with African countries, a development highlighted by the formation of the 'African Corps' at the end of 2023. This initiative underscores Russia's growing military presence and influence across the continent, particularly in the unstable Sahel region, where there is high demand for Russian military support. Beyond military cooperation, Russia is also expanding its economic engagement, with trade turnover between Russia and African countries seeing a steady growth rate, rising from $18 billion in 2022 to approximately $28 billion in 2025. This economic reorientation is partly driven by Western sanctions on Russia. The cooperation extends to various sectors including energy, food security, and socio-humanitarian initiatives, with a focus on youth-oriented projects and media presence through outlets like Russia Today (RT) and Sputnik. The 2023 Russia-Africa summit served as a platform for these deepened ties, resulting in a declaration wi...