Wagner's Adventures in West Africa Accompany a Regional Shift in Geopolitics
Pro-Russian demonstrations in Ghana and sentiments expressed by Nigerian residents expose the disenchantment many Africans feel towards the France and the collective West.
West Africa is experiencing a significant geopolitical transformation marked by expressions of growing disillusionment towards traditional Western allies colonial powers. Ghana unexpectedly became the backdrop for pro-Russian demonstrations that began earlier this afternoon in the Western Region city of Takoradi. The locals aligned along the main highways of the country to send messages of solidarity to neighboring Niger as well as the Russian Federation. Demonstrators were not only seen waving the flags of both nations, but of the Wagner Group as well, a growing trend in the region following the recent coup in Niger.
Yevgeny Prigozhin (head of the Wagner Group) has been vocal in his support for Niger’s transitional government on Telegram. This support should not be underestimated. While there are no reports of Wagner’s presence in the nation yet, the group is present in border areas in Chad, Libya, Mali and Burkina Faso where they present a corporeal deterrence to French and U.S. forces and offer training resources to local militaries.
In a related development, thousands of supporters gathered in front of a French military base in Niamey, Nigeria, expressing their endorsement for the Niger Military Council as well as aid from the Wagner Group. As voices filled the streets of Niamey, residents openly denounced the intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), pointing to the lack of documented policy that would allow for troops to be sent to a foreign nation. Nigerians called upon their government to adopt a diplomatic approach rather than a military intervention in Niger. One resident aptly summarized this sentiment, emphasizing that ECOWAS should tackle the underlying issues that lead to coups rather than merely dealing with their consequences.
The events unfolding across West Africa stand as a poignant testament to the region's evolving geopolitical dynamics. The pro-Russian fervor in Ghana, the Wagner Group's emerging influence, and the sentiments of both Ghanaians and Nigerians underscore a palpable shift in the regional narrative. This shift is prompting a reassessment of long-held geopolitical alliances and highlighting the rising desire for self-determination in Africa after centuries of exploration.
-The Shultz Report by M. Shultz