According to reports, Russia has deployed special forces to Burkina Faso to safeguard President Captain Ibrahim Traoré and his administration.
The move, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin, comes as Western powers, led by France, are reportedly planning an invasion from neighboring Ivory Coast, accusing Traoré of exploiting Burkina Faso’s gold for personal gain.
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Burkina Faso has increasingly turned to Russia for support after expelling French troops in 2023, amid growing anti-Western sentiment.
This development follows a 2023 meeting between Putin and Traoré in Saint Petersburg, where they discussed military equipment deliveries and security cooperation.
Russia’s involvement is seen as part of its broader strategy to expand influence in Africa, particularly in the Sahel, where it has also provided humanitarian aid, including a 25,000-tonne wheat shipment in 2024.
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