The United States Should Not Play Russia's Game in Africa CFR_Africa: Africa
In the wake of reports of a Wagner Group plot in Chad, Washington should resist the urge to resurrect Cold War-era partnerships.that Russia's Wagner Group is working with rebels in Chad to target the country's transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Deby, who came to power by extra-constitutional means when his father was killed in 2021.
The United States, bent on denying Russia another win on the continent, could decide that Mahamat's highly questionable legitimacy can be overlooked in the name of geopolitics. The country's unconstitutional transfer of power, extended transitional period, extrajudicial killings and persecution of political protesters could all be factored into thethat must be paid to counter Russian influence.
Russia has a head start on this project, because during the Cold War, the United States played this game with a logic that led to support for abusive, corrupt, but anti-Communist governments everywhere from Liberia to Zaire to apartheid South Africa, and U.S. backing for sometimes-brutal rebellions with dubious democratic aspirations like UNITA in Angola or RENAMO in Mozambique. Those historical associations generate strong headwinds for U.
so clearly. Indeed, the more recent U.S. history of support for authoritarian leadership in Chad, justified as an investment in stability and a stalwart partner in countering violent extremism, can create fertile soil for Russian mischief.Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Africa: Fresh commitment, investment needed to achieve SDGs in AfricaPress Release - Niamey, Niger, 2 March 2023 (ECA) - Africa needs a paradigm shift to deliver sustainable development by making a fresh commitment and increasing investment to realize the SDGs, the Economic Commission for Africa’s Deputy Executive Secretary and Chief Economist, Hanan Morsy, urged African states.
Read more »
Six Nigerian states drop bid to annul presidential electionSix opposition-led Nigerian states on Friday night withdrew a Supreme Court petition to invalidate the result of last weekend's presidential vote, which they had argued violated electoral rules, court papers showed.
Read more »
UN states agree 'historic' deal to protect high seasUN member states finally agreed Saturday to a text on the first international treaty after years of negotiations to protect the high seas, a fragile and vital treasure that covers nearly half the planet.
Read more »
Africa Live this week: 27 February - 5 March 2023 - BBC News'We won the election and we will prove it to Nigerians,' Labour’s Peter Obi has reiterated his criticism of the poll - adding that people had been robbed at the ballot box. He has pledged to prove through the courts that he had won.
Read more »
Hyperscalers are changing the cloud game in AfricaSPONSORED | Africa is building a globally competitive and relevant enterprise environment thanks to hyperscale innovation and evolution
Read more »
South Africa: Ruling Party Serves Ex Eskom CEO With Court Papers Over His Corruption ClaimsANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, has confirmed the party has served former Eskom CEO, Andre De Ruyter with court papers, following his accusations that some high level party members have been involved in corruption at Eskom, eNCA reports.
Read more »