On January 7, a delegation of senior officials at Wagner, Russia’s private army, met with the caretaker government in Burkina Faso to discuss counterterrorism efforts in the region, Western media have reported.
Notable Movements
The past few months have seen Burkina Faso’s military regime move closer to Moscow in three key ways, outlined as follows:
1. Wagner's presence in Ouagadougou:
French reports have revealed that, on December 24 2022, a Wagner delegation of 12 officials arrived at a military airbase near Burkina Faso’s international airport. The delegation met with Burkinabe officials to discuss Russian support of local security forces.
The visit was confirmed earlier by American reports that revealed ongoing negotiations between the Burkinabe interim government and Russia to host Wagner squads in Ouagadougou. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said during a conference at the 2022 US-Africa Leaders summit last December that Wagner troops are indeed present north of Ouagadougou after a secret deal between the Burkinabe government and the Russian private army was signed.
2. Security for gold:
Other Western reports have revealed that Burkina Faso’s army chief, Ibrahim Traore, has allocated a gold mine in return for security services provided by Wagner. The deal gives a Russian mining company, Nordgold, access to the Yemiogo mine and was signed by Nordgold senior executive Georgy Smirnov during a secret visit to the country.
3. Growing Russian presence:
Russia quickly increased its presence in Burkina Faso following Ibrahim Traore’s coup in September last year. Days after Traore’s ascent to power, Western media reported the arrival of two military aeroplanes to Ouagadougou, Bombardier Global Express and Ilyushin Il 67, both carrying a shipment of Russian arms.
Several Incentives
We could explain Burkina Faso’s newly found relations with Russia by observing four critical developments in the region, outlined as follows:
1. Rise of terrorism:
Burkina Faso has been dealing with a blow of terrorist attacks since 2015. Thousands have been killed, and more than 2 million Burkinians have been displaced. The government has lost control of more than half the country to terrorist groups. In October 2022, a military base in Djibo was ambushed by a group of Jihadists, killing ten soldiers and wounding more than fifty. The government then looked to Moscow for support in the face of mounting terrorism, and Prime Minister Apollonaire de Tamboella secretly visited Russia to secure Russia’s support in fighting terrorism.
2. Growing tensions with France:
Relations between France and the West African country, a former French colony, have deteriorated in recent months. The tensions peaked when Burkina Faso demanded France to replace its ambassador, which France rejected, claiming it wasn’t standard practice. Burkina Faso later revoked Radio France International’s license, having been accused of giving voice to “a message of intimidation to the population attributed to a terrorist leader.”
Despite tensions, France seems set on mending its relations with Burkina Faso. In a visit to the Western African country, French minister of state for development, francophonie and international partnerships, Cresola Zakarupoulou, reiterated France’s support to Burkina Faso in fighting terrorism. However, the minister remained ambiguous about her country’s future presence in Burkina Faso.
3. Growing anonymity:
In the past four weeks, Burkina Faso has witnessed popular waves of protests in a growing anti-French sentiment. France has 400 special forces deployed in the country, but diplomatic tensions and popular demands for French withdrawal have impacted relations between the two countries. However, France has reiterated its commitment to Burkina Faso through Cresola.
4. Division within the military:
After two coups in one year, Western media have reported that Ibrahim Traore has fallen out of favour with military officers who supported his coup in 2022. Reports have indicated that Ibrahim might face opposition from the military if he doesn’t deal swiftly with rising terrorism.
Regional and International Repercussions
The Russia-Burkina Faso growing relations would have regional and international implications, outlined as follows:
1. Possible tension with Ghana:
The growing relationship with Russia may raise fears in neighbouring Ghana, as terrorism and violence might spill over into its borders. But reports from Burkina Faso have indicated that Ouagadougou might seek Wagner’s support in northern and eastern regions, thus leaving Ghanian-Burkinian borders intact.
2. Escalation with ECOWAS:
The strengthening of relations with Russia has prompted the African organisation to deter Burkina Faso with a series of economic sanctions. Yet Burkina Faso couldn’t be persuaded to cut its ties with Wagner. Russia’s presence in the region, thus, could lead to the development of blocs and more sanctions on Burkina Faso.
3. Growing Russian-Western competition:
Greater competition between the West and Russia is expected. Early December 2022, the official covert visit to Moscow came through Mali, which included twelve senior Malian officials, indicating that a new Russia-Mali-Burkina Faso bloc is underway. More countries could join this Russia-backed bloc in future, changing regional dynamics, foreign influence, and access to sea ports for land-locked Burkina Faso.
Yet, the US has voiced grave concerns during the UN Security Council assembly over Wagner’s presence in West Africa. American deputy ambassador, Richard Mills, has heavily criticised Wagner’s role in the region and its failure to deal with intensifying waves of terrorism. In addition, the US has accused Russian corporations of embezzling Africa’s natural resources and abuse of human rights. The UK and France have raised similar accusations against Wagner’s activities in Africa. And, as Ghana seeks US support to dissuade Burkina Faso from dealing with Wagner, the coming period is expected to see growing tensions across the region and a broader Russian-Western competition in West Africa.
4. A possible French withdrawal:
Although Paris has, until now, reiterated its commitment to Burkina Faso, more recent reports have revealed that the French government has already discussed with its troops the possibility of withdrawing from Burkina Faso. If France starts, the crisis in Mali could be repeated again in Burkina Faso, revealing France’s weakening role in West Africa.
In conclusion, the junta government in Burkina Faso is set to rely on Russia’s Wagner private military group to deal with a growing terrorism threat. Experts have been sceptical about Wagner’s ability to nip in the bud of rapidly growing terrorist groups. Yet, Wagner’s involvement in the region certainly will impact Burkina Faso’s relations with the rest of West African countries and the other regional states.
