What Is Russia's Evolving Strategy for Influence in Africa?

Events such the death of Russian armed rebellion leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group, who died in a mysterious plane crash north of Moscow in August, and Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal triggered speculation over Moscow’s growing influence in Africa. Other signs, like Russian flags on clear display during the Niger coup in July, signal that the authoritarian country’s engagement in Africa is only going to continue for the foreseeable future. Mathieu Droin, a visiting fellow and researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, published a report last month about Russia’s growing influence in Africa and told VOA’s Carol Van Dam the Kremlin’s playbook on the continent will be most likely recalibrated rather than overturned.