Russia sends backup for Ibrahim Traore Burkina Faso

Russia sends backup for Ibrahim Traore Burkina Faso The junta-led West African country’s relations with Moscow have been in the spotlight since it booted out French troops in February, fuelling speculation it would deepen security ties with Russia like neighboring Mali, where Russian Wagner mercenaries operate. On top of that Russia’s extensive courtship of Burkina Faso in recent months has included 25,000 metric tons of free wheat, an agreement to build a nuclear power plant, a personal security detail for junta leader Capt. Ibrahim Traoré and now 100 paramilitary fighters. The delegation of Russian military personnel arrived with weapons and equipment in the capital, Ouagadougou, on January 24. The deployment was announced on the Telegram messaging app’s Africa Corps channel, which claims to be affiliated with Russia’s Defense Ministry. “A Russian delegation of 100 people will ensure the safety of the country’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, and the Burkinabe people from terrorist attacks,” the statement read. “In the near future, the units will be replenished with another 200 military personnel from Russia.”