Russia sends 200 military instructors to Equatorial Guinea

Russia sent 200 military instructors to protect the president of Equatorial Guinea, the latest African country to foster military ties with Moscow.

The Russians are training the Equatorial Guinean elite soldiers, Reuters reported, adding that the deployment points to Moscow’s offensive to strengthen its foothold in the Sahel and West Africa where military juntas distanced themselves from the West and edge closer towards Putin.

Relations between the two countries date back to the 1970s when they signed fisheries and military cooperation agreements.

Russia’s recent deployment is seen as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its military influence in the continent where the west has been in retreat.