Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov concluded his tour of African nations with a visit to Chad on Wednesday, emphasizing strengthened military cooperation against jihadists amidst heightened anti-Western sentiment.
Lavrov’s journey, which began with stops in Guinea, Congo, and Burkina Faso, aimed at bolstering economic, trade, and military ties, particularly in the wake of strained relations between Russia and the West following the Ukraine conflict of February 2022.
With France’s influence in Africa waning, Russia seeks to fill the void, evident in Chad, where Moscow eyes strategic positioning in the Sahel region.
While rumors circulate about Russian mercenaries working alongside Chadian forces, official channels maintain N’Djamena’s resistance to a full-fledged Russian presence.
Lavrov’s meeting with Chad’s newly-elected President, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, underscores the evolving dynamics in the region, as Deby’s recent visit to Moscow hints at potential shifts in international alliances.
Reflecting on the warming relations between Russia and Chad, African studies expert Vsevolod Sviridov noted a significant uptick in bilateral engagement over the past six months.
