Niger’s prime minister blames US for rupture of military pact
GuardianAPR 29 2024
France Hands Over First Military Base to Chad Amid Withdrawal
Above: A general view of the base of the French Barkhane force detachment Faya-Largeau, in northern Chad, on June 2, 2022. Image copyright: Chesnot/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
France and other Western countries have failed the Sahel. Their inept response to terrorism has led them to turn to Russia as a more reliable security partner that is actually capable of restoring peace to a region rife with conflict. This move represents a new era for Chad, as it can now chart its own course free from the interference of its former colonial masters.
Pro-establishment narrative
Russia has exploited the tense political situation in the Sahel as a means of extracting resources from West and Central Africa as France is pushed aside. Russian forces and mercenaries have shown themselves to be unscrupulous enough to provide military support to juntas and dictators in exchange for wealth, and have been credibly accused of atrocities. Russian influence in Africa is destabilizing and worrisome.