(by Francesco Matera) International analysts argue that Putin's strategy, on a global level, is to acquire extended spheres of influence in various parts of the world, through the establishment of "puppet" governments prone to the will of the Kremlin.
After applying this new doctrine to several African countries, it is now the turn of Ukraine, where the modern Tsar of Moscow and the Russian establishment want at all costs to replace President Zelensky with an oligarch loyal to Moscow ready to leave London to move to Kiev. .
After Syria, Libya, Repubblica Centrafricana, Mali e Sudan Russia although engaged in the campaign of Europe with the invasion of Ukraine has not diverted its interest from Africa where, at least six other African leaders are ready to follow the expansion strategy and the modus operandi of the Moscow government.
Russia's strategic goals in Africa, according to some military analysts, have a target broader: to undermine the southern flank of the NATO trying to dominate the Mediterranean. A strategy that Putin wants to pursue, without any hesitation, confusing the Russian people with the historical need to rehabilitate the identity lost after the dissolution of the former Soviet Union bloc.
Russia in Africa is using very effective and low-cost hybrid tools for its purposes: it has deployed the mercenaries of the well-known Wagner group, conducted disinformation campaigns, interfered in elections and bartered weapons for resources. This low-risk, high-return approach has allowed Moscow to expand its influence in Africa faster than other foreign players in the region. Now the pro-Russian fighters of Africa and Syria are ready to support Russia in the war effort in Ukraine, at least 16000 volunteers would be ready to join the regular troops in Moscow to fight the Ukrainian resistance particularly skilled in urban battles.
Italy in Africa
Our country is present in Africa with the “Bilateral support mission in the Republic of Niger - MISIN", Commanded by the pilot colonel of theair Force, Davide Cipelletti, in order to increase the capacities aimed at combating the phenomenon of illegal trafficking and threats to security, as part of a joint European and US effort to stabilize the area and strengthen the territorial control capacities by the authorities Nigeria and the G5 Sahel countries.
Since September 2018, MISIN has been operating under a bilateral agreement between Italy and Niger, in line with the multinational effort aimed at stabilizing the Sahel (Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso). With its MTT (Mobile Training Team) made up of personnel from the Italian Army, the Air Force, the Carabinieri and the Special Forces, the Italian Mission guarantees the increase of Nigerian capabilities in contrasting the phenomenon of illegal trafficking and threats to security, border surveillance and territorial control. MISIN has trained, to date, over 6.000 military personnel from the Nigerian Defense and Security Forces (Armed Forces, National Gendarmerie, National Guard and Special Forces of the Republic of Niger).
Two other courses in favor of Nigerian soldiers concluded in March
From the site of Defense General Staff, in the various news from the Operational Theaters, the training activity carried out by the Italian soldiers of the MISIN mission in favor of the Nigerian forces aroused much interest. In fact, there were two courses that ended at the beginning of March and received the appreciation of the Nigerian authorities.
The first course favored the development of the technical-operational skills of the Units destined for the First Intervention of the National Gendarmerie, necessary to deal with terrorist attacks, improving the safety of operators and the efficiency of the intervention.
The operations for which i militar have been trained, will allow to safeguard the safety of civilians, avoid collateral damage and capture armed and dangerous subjects in cases of serious events.
During the ceremony at the end of the course, the Second High Commander of the National Gendarmerie, Colonel Abdoul Karim Hima, underlined the excellent relations between Italy e Niger and the valuable skills of the Italian MISIN instructors who contribute, with their work, to making the Nigerian Security Forces ever more ready to face the daily security challenges.
At the same time, the ad agadez il Course for Public Order Operator conducted by the instructors of the MISIN in favor of n. 45 units of the Defense and Security Forces nigerine (Gendarmerie, National Guard and National Police).
The training carried out in Agadez, a strategically important crossroads in the region for activities to combat the phenomena of terrorism, organized crime and trafficking in human beings, arms and drugs, consolidates the excellent relationship of trust and cooperation built with the Nigerian partners , who strongly requested the presence of Italian military instructors in this vast and complex region of Niger.
During the 3 weeks of the course, the 45 attendees were trained to conduct public order control operations in compliance with the Human rights, adopting the procedures used by the Carabinieri.
At the end of the course ceremony, the Commander of the 2nd legion of the Gendarmerie of the Region of adez expressed his sincere appreciation for the activities carried out, declaring that "this training, carried out [...] by Italian experts with indisputable experience and savoir-faire, was given with certain professionalism and rigor "and" allowed the 45 students [...] to increase their theoretical and practical knowledge ".
