Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in N’Djamena, Chad, on Wednesday, June 5, concluding his tour of Africa, which included stops in Guinea, the Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso.
During his visit, Lavrov met with his Chadian counterpart, Abderaman Koulamallah. For decades, Central and Western Africa have been considered France’s sphere of influence. Lavrov stressed that Russia’s relationship with Chad is not intended to undermine other countries.
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“I can guarantee you that our friendship with Chad will not affect our relations with France in any way. France has other approaches, proceeding from the notion that either you are with us or against us,” he stated.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Russia and Chad. In recent years, Russia’s outreach to Africa has added complexity to the continent’s geopolitical landscape. Analysts refer to this growing influence as the “battle for Africa.”
Political analyst Baba Dakono attributes changes in the region to the security situation in the Sahel. “The security issue is a point of entry for Russia in Africa, enabling the Russian Federation to establish a presence in the Central African Republic, Mali, and other Sahelian countries, and similarly in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he explained.
“What’s happening in Eastern Europe (Ukraine) is that the West is asserting itself in what has been Russia’s pre-eminent position in Eastern Europe. Similarly, in the Sahel, Russians are establishing themselves in what has been the West’s pre-eminent position.”
Lavrov’s visit follows Chadian President Mahamat Deby Itno’s trip to Russia last January. On Wednesday, Itno met with Russia’s top diplomat. According to the presidency, the officials discussed various areas of cooperation to enhance bilateral relations.
