IN a notable diplomatic move, Russian President Vladimir Putin held discussions with Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Deby in the Kremlin on Wednesday. The meeting underscores Russia’s strategic efforts to expand its influence in Africa’s Sahel region, challenging the historical dominance of France, particularly in West Africa.
Chad, traditionally aligned with French interests, has recently become a focal point for Russia’s diplomatic outreach. Deby, who assumed leadership in 2021 following a coup after his father’s demise, has been steering Chad through a transitional period, initially pledged for 18 months but later delayed to October this year.
Putin expressed satisfaction with Deby’s efforts in stabilising Chad, stating that Russia stands ready to assist in any way. The Russian President emphasised the significant opportun
ities for bilateral ties between the two countries, as revealed in a transcript on the Kremlin website. As a gesture of collaboration, Moscow announced the doubling of the quota for Chadian students studying at Russian universities.
Deby’s visit follows a recent engagement with the prime minister of Niger, another country grappling with political shifts after a 2023 coup. Russia’s diplomatic manoeuvres in Niger and Burkina Faso, where coups led to military governments distancing themselves from France, indicate a broader geopol
itical shift in West Africa.
While Russia’s influence in some African countries initially involved the Wagner Group mercenary army led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Moscow has restructured its approach following Prigozhin’s death. The Kremlin now seeks to formalise control over Prigozhin’s network in Africa, incorporating Wagner’s operations into state structures.
Chad’s alignment with Russia marks a departure from its hist
orical ties to France and highlights the evolving geopolitical landscape in West Africa. The Kremlin’s strategic engagem
ents in the region signal a concerted effort to reshape alliances amid political transitions and power shifts.
(with Reuters)
