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Russia Delivers Tanks and Howitzers to Kremlin-Controlled African Forces, Defying Sanctions

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Amira Barkhush
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Russia Delivers Tanks and Howitzers to Kremlin-Controlled African Forces, Defying Sanctions
Supporters of Niger’s National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland wave a flag bearing the logo of private military Company Wagner, as they protest outside the Niger and French airbase, September 16, 2023. (Source: Getty Images)

Moscow has been sending tanks, armored vehicles, artillery, and other expensive equipment to West Africa via cargo ships despite Western sanctions, according to an Associated Press report published on June 10.

The news agency tracked the shipments through satellite images and radio signals. The convoy of ships, flying the Russian flag, sailed from the Baltic Sea for nearly a month. European military officials, who also monitored the ships closely, report that the vessels were carrying howitzers, electronic warfare equipment, and other military gear for the African Corps established by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

At the end of May, as shown by satellite images analyzed by AP, the ships docked in Conakry, Guinea, and unloaded their cargo. In January, other vessels had delivered tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment from Russia to this same port, which were then transported overland to neighboring Mali, according to data from European military officials and a video of the long convoy recorded by a Malian blogger.

The footage’s geolocation confirmed that it was taken on the highway leading to Mali’s capital, Bamako. Military equipment from the May delivery was also spotted on the road.

The May shipment involved vessels under Western sanctions, including the Patria and Baltic Leader.

According to military sources interviewed by AP, the primary weapons, including artillery and electronic warfare equipment, are not intended for the Malian Armed Forces but for Russia’s African Corps. The Corps is also receiving air support: in recent months, satellites have detected at least one Su-24 bomber at the airbase in Bamako.

France previously maintained a strong military presence in Africa, assisting in the fight against armed insurgents in Mali as well as in neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, the agency added.

However, between 2020 and 2023, following military coups in these countries, France withdrew its forces, and the American contingent also had to leave their base in Niger. Military authorities in these countries, along with several others such as the Central African Republic, Sudan, and more, have received assistance from the Wagner Group, often in exchange for mining licenses, including for gold.

On April 22, a report revealed that the arrival of Wagner forces in Central African Republic led to widespread fear among local women, many of whom stopped working in agricultural fields due to the risk of sexual violence.

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