Burkina Faso has become the temporary hosting ground for Russian paramilitary forces, as recent developments indicate that approximately 100 soldiers from the Bear Brigade, a private military company, are preparing to depart the nation to reinforce Russian operations against Ukraine. These troops were initially deployed in May 2023 to support the military junta that assumed power in a September 2022 coup under Interim President Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The Bear Brigade announced their withdrawal through their Telegram channel, citing the necessity to assist with Russia’s defense in light of Ukraine’s intensified offensive in the Kursk region. This decision raises concerns regarding the potential resurgence of Islamist insurgent activities in Burkina Faso, especially given the recent violent attacks that claimed the lives of approximately 300 individuals, marking one of the deadliest assaults in the region in recent years.

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has experienced a troubling rise in jihadist violence, leading to the displacement of over two million residents. The current junta has faced significant challenges in curbing these attacks, despite its commitment to restore security and establish new alliances with Russia. Currently, nearly half of the nation remains outside governmental control, allowing extremist groups to increasingly target both civilians and military personnel. An attack on Saturday in the northern town of Barsalogho, reportedly involving members of the al-Qaeda-linked group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), serves as a painful reminder of this escalating violence. Eyewitness reports indicate that the victims included civilians and military personnel, who were contributing to defensive operations in the area.

The Russian Bear Brigade has played a crucial role in bolstering the junta’s security apparatus by safeguarding key officials, including the junta leader himself, Captain Traoré. They also provided protection for the Russian ambassador in the capital city, Ouagadougou. However, the prompt departure of 100 Bear Brigade members—three months post-deployment—has left many speculating on how the Burkina Faso government will mitigate this loss of critical military support, particularly amid ongoing security threats.

As Burkina Faso collaborates with Russia, alongside its neighboring countries Mali and Niger, in efforts to combat insurgent groups active in the semi-arid Sahel region, these nations have notably distanced themselves from France, their former colonial ruler. They have increasingly relied on Russian military capabilities and mercenary support. Nonetheless, despite the establishment of the ‘Africa Corps’ by Wagner Group, the intensifying attacks by armed groups in the Sahel, particularly in Burkina Faso, remain unrelenting, highlighting the inadequacies of the current military response.

The ongoing situation underscores the complexities faced by African nations in addressing security challenges, as their alliances shift in pursuit of stability in an increasingly volatile landscape.

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