Official statements from the Russian or Equatorial Guinean governments, or reliable news reports

Russia Deploys 200 Military Instructors to Equatorial Guinea to Bolster Security for President Mbasogo After 45 Years in Power

Nov 13, 2024, 08:16 AM

Russia has deployed approximately 200 military instructors to Equatorial Guinea as part of a strategy to bolster its influence in West Africa. This move is seen as a response to the waning Western presence in the region and aligns with Moscow's broader efforts to expand its military footprint across Africa. The instructors are reportedly tasked with training elite guards in the country's two main cities, as President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo seeks to strengthen his government's security. Mbasogo, who has held power for 45 years, previously invited Ugandan troops to assist in protecting his administration following a failed coup in 2017. This deployment follows Russia's recent military activities in Africa, despite setbacks such as its defeat in Mali.