Russia has reportedly deployed between 100 to 200 military instructors to Equatorial Guinea, sparking international attention. The deployment, which includes elite guards being trained in the country’s two major cities Malabo, the capital, and Bata has raised concerns about Russia’s deepening military and political footprint in Africa. These reports, which first surfaced in August, come as Russia has sought to solidify its influence in the region through military support, mercenary operations, and geopolitical maneuvering.
Equatorial Guinea, a small but resource-rich country with a population of just 1.7 million, is ruled by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who has been in power since 1979, making him the world’s longest-serving leader. His son, Teodoro Obiang Mangue, serves as the vice president and has gained notoriety for his lavish lifestyle, often linked to corruption scandals. The country has long been criticized for its human rights record, with allegations of torture, arbitrary killings, and other abuses.
The Russian deployment is believed to be part of a broader strategy to bolster the country’s defense, particularly safeguarding the presidency. Sources suggest that the instructors are likely associated with Corps Africa, a paramilitary group that evolved from the notorious Wagner Group, which has been linked to mercenary operations across various parts of Africa. The presence of Russian military personnel in Equatorial Guinea aligns with Russia’s broader objective to strengthen ties with African regimes and assist in stabilizing authoritarian governments facing internal and external challenges.
This military cooperation between Equatorial Guinea and Russia is not a new development. Over the past several years, the country has increasingly turned to Moscow for military support, gas, and mineral exploration deals. Both President Obiang and his son have made multiple visits to Russia, seeking deeper ties. In September, President Obiang publicly thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for sending instructors to enhance the country’s defense capabilities, as reported by Russian state news agency TASS. This relationship with Russia follows a pattern seen in other African countries, where Russian mercenaries and military advisors have been deployed to protect regimes, combat insurgencies, and provide military training.
The geopolitical implications of Russia’s expanding presence in Africa are far-reaching. Tutu Alicante, a US-based human rights activist from Equatorial Guinea, has warned that the Russian military presence could undermine US interests in the region. The US has historically had investments in Equatorial Guinea, particularly in the energy sector, but has gradually reduced its involvement amid concerns over the country’s human rights record and its shifting political alignments. According to Alicante, Russia’s physical presence in Equatorial Guinea is a clear signal that Moscow is flexing its military and economic influence, particularly at a time when other African nations have increasingly turned to Russia for support, away from traditional Western allies.
In recent years, several West African nations that have experienced coups have distanced themselves from former colonial powers, like France, accusing them of failing to address the growing jihadist insurgencies plaguing the region. Instead, these countries have sought to establish closer ties with Russia, believing that Moscow’s support can help them regain stability. This trend is evident in nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, where Russian mercenaries and military trainers have been deployed to shore up military regimes.
Russia’s growing presence in Africa is part of a broader effort to assert itself as a key player in global geopolitics, competing with Western powers for influence over the continent’s rich resources, strategic trade routes, and military alliances. As Moscow continues to bolster its relationships with African governments, including those with controversial human rights records, its actions will likely have significant ramifications for the future of the region, the United States’ role in Africa, and the broader global power dynamics.
