Russia deepens West Africa influence with Senegal factory
Russia is expanding its influence in West Africa by strengthening ties with Senegal, where it is opening a Kamaz lorry factory. According to the Senegalese press, specialist military lorries, including the heavily armoured and landmine-resistant Typhoon-K, will be produced there.
For years, Kamaz has been a significant supplier of freight lorries and those intended for military needs to Africa. The military forces of Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, and Sudan use them. The Kamaz-63968 model is especially popular, known for its good protection against explosive devices and mines. Thanks to its reinforced construction, these vehicles perform well on Africa's rugged terrains.
The choice of Senegal is not accidental. In 2018, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with this West African country, which includes training Senegalese military personnel and providing military equipment. And Russia is offering more.
We are ready to help Senegal and other African countries strengthen their defence capabilities and improve the anti-terroristic readiness of their armed forces and special services, promised Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late August during a conversation with Senegalese Foreign Minister Yacine Fall.
Senegal is Russia's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, after South Africa. Russia, among other things, meets about 40% of its wheat demand.
With access to the Atlantic Ocean and borders with Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest, Senegal holds a significant geopolitical position in West Africa. It is the fourth-largest economy in the regional ECOWAS bloc, which now consists of twelve countries after the exit of
Senegal also noticed by China
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are countries run by military juntas that have also severed ties with their former Western allies, such as France and the United States, to strengthen them with Russia. Senegal is also one of the most stable countries in the region, which, in this part of Africa, is a rarity and has never experienced military rule.
Its position has also been strengthened by the recently discovered offshore oil and gas reserves.
China has noticed this as well, with its leading defence company Norinco just opening a new office in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The company already supplies Senegal with VN2 infantry fighting vehicles, armoured vehicles, and reconnaissance vehicles, and discussions are ongoing regarding the supply of rifles and ammunition.
