Abstract

This study examines the role of Russia in Africa’s security with the case study of Mali. The objectives were to assess the role of Russia in Africa’s security with the case study of Mali. Related literature was explored while as methodology random sampling. Data was gotten from the field and analyzed; analysis from chapter five showed that Russia involvement in Mali security affairs is multifaceted and strategically significant.

Firstly, the findings underscored Russia’s increasing military presence in Mali, evidenced by the provision of arms, training and advisory support to the Malian armed forces. This military collaboration has bolstered Mali’s capacity to combat internal threats, particularly terrorism and insurgency. Additionally, field observation revealed a growing number of joint military exercises between Russia and Mali troops, highlighting the depending security cooperation between the two nations.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

This work consists of  an analysis of the role of Russia in African security specifically with the case of Mali  through the background of the study , the statement of the problem, research questions, objectives, assumptions of the study ,significance of the study  on the academia, the government and the community, the theoretical  framework which base on Neorealism, the research design and methodology of mixed methods that is the Qualitative and Quantitative approach, definition of terms, the scope and limitations of the study and lastly the structure and outline. In this write up we are going to see the security issues in Mali, how the Wagner group came to Mali, their interest and goals , why and how Russia’s influence in Mali security became so fame and how they are trying to maintain peace and security in the region.

To continue chapter two entails conceptual reviews, empirical reviews, theoretical framework, and critique of the existence literature relevant to the study, summary and lastly research gap While chapter three go head to deal with the methodology and design of the research that is resign design, population, sampling frame, sampling and sampling technique, instrument used to carry out the research, data collection procedure, data processing and analysis and lastly ethical consideration, To add we have chapter four, here entails discussion base on the claims and evidence at hand. Lastly chapter five entails conclusion base on the facts discovered and references.

1.2. Background to the Study

The state of being or feeling secure; freedom from fear, anxiety, danger, doubt, something that gives or assures safety, tranquility, certainty, protection; safeguard of humans, states and properties.  World security was threatened with the outbreak of world war one. The First World War, also known as the Great War, was a global conflict that erupted in 1914 and lasted until 1918. It was triggered by a combination of long-standing tensions and a series of events that ultimately escalated into a full-scale war. One of the main causes of the war was a system of alliances that had been formed among European nations.

These alliances, such as the Triple Entente (Britain, France, Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy), were meant to provide security and deter aggression. However, when a political assassination took place in Sarajevo in June 1914, tensions erupted between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, leading to a series of diplomatic crises. Scott bennet the Great War 1914 -1918 January, (2024)

The situation quickly escalated when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the alliances came into play. As countries honored their commitments to their allies, a domino effect occurred, with op [pne declaration of war leading to another. Germany invaded Belgium to reach France; Britain declared war on Germany in response, and the conflict spread across Europe.

The war was further fueled by factors such as intense nationalism, colonial rivalries, and the arms race between nations. These factors, combined with the assassination and the existing web of alliances, ultimately led to the outbreak of the First World War, plunging the world into a devastating conflict with far-reaching consequences (ICG, 2023:20).

During World War I, the organization that aimed to maintain world peace was the League of Nations.

The intention of the AU was to replace the organization of Africa Unity (OAU). Africa is further infected by a number of existing security threats such as conflicts, terrorism, drought, and force displacement, as well as by those global crises including climate change, the digital divided, and widening inequality and human right violations which continues to threaten Africans. Many African states today are facing security issues such as Mali which has have nine counter terrorism issues, Cameroon with ongoing Anglophone conflict, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger, and many others to add to global issues like climate change.

One of the objectives of the AU is to “promote peace, security, and stability on the continent”. Among its principles is “Peaceful resolution of conflicts among Member States of the Union through such appropriate means as may be decided upon by the Assembly”. The primary body charged with implementing these objectives and principles is the Peace and Security Council. The PSC has the power, among other things, to authorize peace support (SIPRI, 2020:101).

Missions, to impose sanctions in case of unconstitutional change of government, and to “take initiatives and action it deems appropriate” in response to potential or actual conflicts. The PSC is a decision-making body in its own right, and its decisions are binding on member states. Article 4 of the Constitutive Act, repeated in article 4 of the Protocol to the Constitutive Act on the PSC, also recognizes the right of the Union to intervene in a member state in circumstances of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Any decision to intervene in a member state under article 4 of the Constitutive Act will be made by the Assembly on the recommendation of the PSC. Since it first met in 2004, the PSC has been active in relation to the crises in Darfur, Comoros, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Ivory Coast and other countries (Russian MFA, 2023).

It has adopted resolutions creating the AU peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Darfur, and imposing sanctions against persons undermining peace and security (such as travel bans and asset freezes against the leaders of the rebellion in Comoros). The council is in the process of overseeing the establishment of a “standby force” to serve as a permanent African peacekeeping force Institute for Security Studies, South Africa, March 2008.The founding treaty of the AU also called for the establishment of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), including the African Standby Force (ASF), which is to be deployed in emergencies.

That means, in cases of genocide or other serious human-rights violations, an ASF mission can be launched even against the wishes of the government of the country concerned, as long as it is approved by the AU General Assembly. In the past AU peacekeeping missions, the concept was not yet applied; forces had to be mobilized from member states. The AU is planning on putting the concept into practice by 2015 at the earliest (The African union commission, 2015).

1.3 Statement of the Problem

Security which one of the most important matter in world politics today, was threaten with  the outbreak of the first world war and second world war, the creation of United Nations which is a global organization with it main goal to preserve world peace and security.

In Africa we have organizations like the African Union with objectives of preserving and maintaining peace in Africa with her involvement in peace keeping missions ,peace building and peace making more so with it functions of early warning that is to anticipate a conflict or major crisis which is a threat to Africa security and tackle it before it escalate.

In the sub-Sahara African countries, Russia is seen as a liberator or rather savior especially with her military alliance  Mali the Malians sees her as liberator that is the policy- makers are  so comfortable with her presence in Mali and being her instructor, they  see her different from other western powers like China ,France ,USA Human right Foundation ,Russia influence in Mali 11 October, 2023.

In the counter-terrorism which is ongoing in Mali for nine years  with the help of Junta military seized power and welcome the Wagner group,  the Malians  prefers Russia than French dispute her been seen as an Aggressor in the world today. There’s an ongoing and very high threat of terrorist attacks in Mali, which have increased since July 2022 in central and southern Mali, including in Bamako. Serious injuries and deaths have occurred as a result. Significant dates such as holidays are periods of heightened risk. Targets can include areas frequented by security forces, peacekeeper facilities, mining operations, and venues used by foreigners.

There’s a very high risk of kidnapping in Mali. The risk of kidnapping of foreign nationals in southern Mali is increasing. Foreign nationals and foreign interests, including mining operations, are targeted. Armed robbery and carjacking also occur, particularly in the north. Several groups target foreigners. Ransoms paid to kidnapper’s fund terrorism.  There are high rates of insecurity in Africa at large and Mali in particular is rapidly increasing in spite the presence of Russia or the Wagner group

1.4. Research Questions, Objectives, and Assumptions

1.4.1. Research Questions

1. What have Russia’s contributions to counter-terrorism in Mali for nine years?
2. To what extent has Russia been able to promote peace and stability in Mali?
3. What challenges did the Russian and Malian governments face to bring peace and stability in the country?

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