Russia bolsters North African foothold with Algeria move
The American think tank Robert Lansing Institute (RLI) reports on Russia's increasing involvement in Algeria. Moscow has dispatched its military advisers there, including Gen. Sergei Surovikin, known as "General Armageddon."
By sending advisers to Algeria, Russia demonstrates its plans for this country, which are aimed at weakening NATO's southern flank. According to American experts, Russia also seeks to diversify its influence in Africa and expand beyond Mali, the Central African Republic, and Sudan.
RLI suggests that Moscow's strengthening in North Africa may indicate its intention to exploit the ongoing conflict between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara, to strain Moroccan-Western relations and diminish US influence in Rabat.
"Gen. Armageddon" among military experts in Algeria
American experts mentioned that the Russian military experts in Algeria likely include Gen. Sergei Surovikin ("General Armageddon"), a commander with experience in the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts. This information appears to be corroborated by reports from Russian media on Monday, which published a photo on the Russian embassy's Telegram channel in Algeria. The photo, taken on Victory Day, features the military and embassy staff visiting a Serbian military cemetery from World War I in the Dali Ibrahim district of Algiers. The delegation laid flowers on the grave of a soldier from Russia.
The photo shows Surovikin walking through the cemetery beside Vladimir Tsukanov, Russia's military attaché in Algeria. However, he was not identified by name. He was described only as the head of the group of military experts in Algeria.
According to RLI, the involvement of high-ranking figures such as Gen. Surovikin highlights the significance of Moscow's intentions. The alignment of Algeria's interests with Russia's strategic goals—particularly in the Western Sahara and Libya—could alter the geopolitical landscape of the Mediterranean and the Sahel.
Algeria's relations with the West are deteriorating day by day
Algeria’s seaports are of particular interest to the Kremlin. This is especially pertinent after losing access to the Syrian port of Tartus, which was once the only port in the Mediterranean capable of servicing Russian diesel-electric submarines, requiring regular refuelling and maintenance.
In light of Russia's activities in North Africa, the American think tank recently advised NATO to enhance the transparency of intelligence exchanges concerning Russia's actions on the African continent. It urged the European Union to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Algeria to curtail Moscow’s harmful activities. The think tank also recommended promoting dialogue between Morocco and Algeria over Western Sahara to limit Russia's ability to manipulate this conflict.
Meanwhile, despite Russian influence, relations between France, one of the leading European players in this part of Africa, and Algeria are worsening daily. Algerian authorities expelled 15 French diplomats on Monday for "occupying irregular positions." On Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot promised an "immediate, firm, and in a manner proportionate" response.
