Russian influence grows in Algeria amidst Western tensions
The American think tank Robert Lansing Institute (RLI) reports increasing Russian involvement in Algeria. Moscow has sent its military advisors there, including Gen. Sergei Surovikin, known as "General Armageddon".
By sending advisors to Algeria, Russia shows that it has plans with this country to weaken NATO's southern flank. American experts say Russia also wants to diversify its African influence and move beyond Mali, the Central African Republic, and Sudan.
RLI believes that Moscow's strengthening in North Africa may indicate that it wants to exploit the current conflict between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara, to strain Moroccan-Western ties and weaken US influence in Rabat.
"Gen. Armageddon" among military experts in Algeria
American experts claim that among the Russian military experts in Algeria is likely Gen. Sergei Surovikin (called "General Armageddon"), a commander experienced in the wars in Syria and Ukraine. This information would be confirmed by Monday's reports from Russian media, which published a picture posted on the channel of the Russian embassy in Algeria on Telegram. It was taken when, on Victory Day, the military and embassy staff visited the Serbian military cemetery from World War I in the Dali Ibrahim district in Algiers. The delegation laid flowers on the grave of a soldier from Russia.
The picture shows Surovikin walking through the cemetery alongside Vladimir Tsukanov, Russia's military attaché in Algeria. However, he was not mentioned by name; he was only described as "the head of the group of military experts in Algeria."
According to RLI, the involvement of high-ranking figures such as Gen. Surovikin points to Moscow's intentions' significance, and the convergence of Algeria's interests with Russian strategic goals—particularly in the Western Sahara and Libya—may change the geopolitical contours of the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahel.
Relations between Algeria and the West deteriorate by the day
The Algerian seaports are also significant for the Kremlin, especially after losing access to the Syrian port of Tartus. For years, Tartus was the only port in the Mediterranean region capable of servicing Russian diesel-electric submarines, which require regular refuelling and maintenance.
In connection with Russian activity in North Africa, the American think tank recently recommended that NATO increase the transparency of intelligence exchange on Russian activities on the African continent and that the European Union strengthen diplomatic engagement with Algeria to limit Moscow's harmful actions. It also encouraged Morocco and Algeria to dialogue regarding Western Sahara to limit Russia's ability to manipulate this conflict.
Meanwhile, under Russia's influence, or without its involvement, France's relations - as one of the main European actors in this part of Africa - with Algeria are deteriorating by the day. On Monday, Algerian authorities expelled 15 French diplomats "for holding irregular positions". In response, on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot promised an "immediate and proportional response".
