By In a significant shift of military resources, Russia is set to withdraw 100 paramilitary officers from Burkina Faso to bolster its defense against Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region. This move, announced by the Bear Brigade private military company, raises concerns about the stability of the West African nation grappling with an intensifying Islamist insurgency.
The Bear Brigade, which deployed approximately 300 soldiers to Burkina Faso in May 2023 to support the country’s military junta, confirmed the partial withdrawal via its Telegram channel. The group cited the need to “support Russia’s defense against Ukraine’s recent offensive in the Kursk region” as the primary reason for the redeployment.
This development comes at a critical time for Burkina Faso, which recently suffered one of its deadliest attacks in years. Reports indicate that up to 300 people, including civilians and military personnel, were killed on Saturday in the northern town of Barsalogho. The al-Qaeda-linked group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Burkina Faso’s Communication Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, described the attack as “barbaric,” underscoring the severity of the security situation in the country. Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced regular jihadist attacks, resulting in the displacement of over two million people in what aid groups have termed the world’s “most neglected” crisis.
The Bear Brigade’s presence in Burkina Faso has been pivotal in guarding senior officials, including interim President Capt Ibrahim TraorĂ©, who came to power in a September 2022 coup. Their arrival coincided with heightened tensions in the capital, Ouagadougou, where gunshots were reported near the presidential palace, fueling speculation about growing opposition to TraorĂ©’s leadership.
Viktor Yermolaev, commander of the Bear Brigade, told French newspaper Le Monde, “When the enemy arrives on our Russian territory, all Russian soldiers forget about internal problems and unite against a common enemy,” explaining the rationale behind the withdrawal.
The partial departure of the Bear Brigade raises questions about how the Burkinabè junta plans to address the resulting security gap. Burkina Faso, along with neighboring Mali and Niger, has been battling various Islamist groups operating in the semi-arid Sahel region. These countries, now under military rule, have formed the Alliance of Sahel States, severing ties with former colonial power France and aligning with Russia instead.
This realignment has seen the countries purchasing weapons and deploying fighters associated with the mercenary Wagner Group, now known as the Africa Corps. However, despite these efforts and massive recruitment into the paramilitary Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, a self-defense militia, armed groups have intensified their attacks, particularly in Burkina Faso.
bbc.com
