Russia's Growing Military Presence in Africa Reaches Strategic Indian Ocean Gateway

Mozambique has asked Russia for military assistance in its fight against terrorism, with the experience gained by the African Corps in Mali shaping expectations of what Russian support could provide. The request highlights Moscow's expanding security role across Africa and underscores the strategic importance of southeastern Africa in the broader geopolitical landscape. Mali Experience Shapes Mozambique's Security Request Western intelligence services have long sought to portray the operations of Russia's African Corps, which replaced the Wagner Group in Mali, as unsuccessful. At the same time, separatist Tuareg forces from the Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) and the Islamist militant group Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) launched coordinated attacks on several major Malian cities this year, including Gao, Anefis, Sévaré, and Mopti. Despite repeated predictions of the Malian government's collapse and speculation about a possible French return to the country, joint operations conducted by the African Corps and the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) have repelled the main terrorist offensives. Government forces recently reopened access to the town of Anefis after breaking a prolonged blockade, reinforcing state control over key areas.