Paper short abstract:

This paper examines Russia's strategic maneuvers in West Africa, including military diplomacy, private military contractors such as the Wagner Group, and resource exploitation. It also evaluates the impacts on geopolitical changes, stability in the region, and Russia's international standing.

Paper long abstract:

The focus of this research is on the strategic behaviour of Russia in West Africa with the help of its private military companies, economic interests, and military diplomacy. It emphasizes the use of private military companies, like the Wagner Group, in and around the inter-State conflict zones around Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. These actions, undertaken within the geopolitical realism framework, show Russia’s efforts to weaken the Western grip, acquire raw materials, and foster ties with some regional superpower. Russia has not only provided military aid but has also resorted to resource hand grabbing which has resulted in gross human rights abuses and deepened conflict in the region. By illustrating the new significance of West Africa in the power politics of superpowers, this paper shows the multilateral relation typical of great powers. This article has provided an analytical approach to the new geopolitical realities, the stiffened competitive relations in the West African region, Russia's foreign policy towards the region, and the consequences of regional stability.