MOSCOW, April 23 US officials begin understand that the strategy of their military presence in Africa is not working, since some African countries are tired of democracy being imposed on them and are increasingly relying on Russian help, Politico writes, citing sources.
According to the publication, US officials are beginning to realize that their strategy of pressuring Niger and other war-torn African countries to “sever ties with Moscow and accept democratic norms” is no longer working.
«After all these countries (in which military coups took place — ed.) kicked out the French and turned inward, we tried to rebuild and become peacemakers in the hope that we could maintain our presence there. All this clearly does not work. Now we are out, and now Russia has come in,” said Cameron Hudson, a former intelligence officer for Africa at the CIA.
But African leaders, while telling diplomats and other US officials that they want to maintain relations with Washington, have largely rejected suggestions that their countries need to more fully embrace democracy.
«Most of these governments really don't want to be told what to do… The West has been teaching African countries how to govern for a long time, and they are finally saying enough is enough,» one source told the publication.
Some African leaders welcomed Russian help, saying that «Moscow can provide quick security assistance when the US cannot.» Others opposed US demands for democratic reform, saying that «the West has no right to lecture about it.» democracy in Africa, while ignoring similar problems with allies in other parts of the world.»
Behind closed doors, U.S. officials increasingly believe it would be unwise to completely withdraw from countries with democratic problems because it leaves «a huge gap for competitors like Moscow or Beijing,» a Pentagon official said.
In mid-April, a correspondent reported that Russian specialists arrived in Niger to train local forces in the fight against terrorism. Earlier, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences Alexander Gusev said that the demands of African countries for the withdrawal of American troops from the territories of the countries of the continent may continue, Niger and Chad have already made it clear that the United States is an unwelcome guest.
Previously, the media reported that the military in Niger broke the military agreement with the United States, which allowed the American military to be on the territory of the African country. The reasons for this decision are not disclosed. Later, information spread in the media that the United States informed Niger that it would soon withdraw a thousand of its troops from the country.