Africa has become an essential element of Russia’s geostrategic posture in recent years as Moscow seeks to evade its international isolation and sanctions. However, facing isolation and a contracting economy, Russia has come to the realisation that cultivating an entry point into Africa through conventional means like foreign direct investment …
Read More »Libya factions reassess Wagner’s operations in light of mutiny in Russia
The Wagner issue could significantly impact the conflict in Libya and lead to further instability in the country. Recent developments in Russia, and Wagner’s open mutiny against the Kremlin have sparked considerable speculation regarding the potential impact on Wagner’s operations in Libya, a war zone it has heavily invested in …
Read More »Africa Or Death? Prigozhin Unlikely To Remain In Belarus For Long – Analysis
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the 62-year-old former petty criminal-turned-restauranteur-billionaire warlord, has tackled many difficult assignments over the years as a Kremlin fixer: from propping up kleptocratic, authoritarian African rulers to sacking the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Now, following an aborted mutiny that challenged Russia’s military and handed President Vladimir Putin a major …
Read More »Wagner group mercenaries in Africa: why there hasn’t been any effective opposition to drive them out
It is easy to understand what African rulers see in the mercenary group Wagner. Its fighters can be deployed quickly. It brings sophisticated arms with it and can apply force speedily and ruthlessly. Alternative sources of military muscle have flaws: United Nations missions lack robust mandates; African Union (AU) forces …
Read More »In Algeria, Migration Is a Symptom of a Broader Social Tragedy
On March 21, nine Algerian migrants died when the boat taking them to Italy capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. The tragic story, along with countless others like it, highlights the cost of migration, which is not limited to the loss of lives. In fact, the highly publicized reports of migrant …
Read More »Egypt eyes dropping US dollar in trade with BRICS nations
Egypt is planning to drop the US dollar in bilateral trade with several member states of the BRICS group of emerging economies, Egyptian Supply Minister Ali Moselhy revealed on 12 June. Cairo is specifically looking to use local currencies to pay for imports from India, China, and Russia – three …
Read More »France’s Le Drian visits Lebanon in bid to break presidential deadlock
French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian’s visit to Beirut comes as parliament failed for the 12th time to elect a president. French President Emmanuel Macron’s new special envoy for Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, the state-run National News Agency reported. According to the agency, the former foreign …
Read More »Gas and the blockade: Egypt’s economic plan for Gaza
In-depth: Egypt is investing in infrastructure to boost Gaza’s economy as part of a long-term ceasefire plan, with the besieged enclave’s gas resources central to Cairo’s strategy. The Egyptian government is busy building a seaport off the coast of Port Said, renovating the Arish International Airport, and paving the long …
Read More »Algerian President’s Visit Strengthens Russia-Algeria Strategic Partnership – OpEd
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his delegation visited Russia, from June 14 through 16, to forge strategic partnership between the two countries. He went to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This special invitation had been conveyed by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his visit to Algiers …
Read More »Egypt’s cautious approach to rapprochement with Iran
Over the past three months, observers have speculated about the restoration of ties between Egypt and Iran. For many, it seemed logical for the Egyptian regime of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to follow the Saudi example and restore ties with Tehran. In March, Riyadh resumed ties with Iran after a seven-year …
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