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After Mali, Russian flags appeared in the streets of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on Saturday October 1. Slogans against the French presence were also heard. On social networks, pro-Russian accounts are active.
A flag and a slogan to the glory of Moscow (Russia), on the evening of Saturday October 1 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The image symbolizes the battle that is partly being played out in Burkina Faso: a war of influence between Russia, whose tricolor flag was seen in the streets of the capital, and France, violently attacked by the crowd. The atmosphere is reminiscent of that of Mali, during the putsch of a military group in 2020. In this border country of Burkina Faso, the same slogans against France. Two years later, the French army was forced to withdraw from the country, replaced by Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group.
France retains many strategic bases in West Africa. The region is in the sights of Russia, which for several years has been cooperating military, via Wagner, with African countries. For the Russians, Burkina Faso is an additional strongpoint in the west of the continent. “Burkina Faso is a country obviously targeted by Russia for a while, which is trying to get it out of the bosom of France. Moreover, they were pleased when Damiba made his coup, thinking they could recover it It wasn’t, so they’re once again hoping they can get that move back.”analyzes Wassim Nasr, journalist for France 24.
Their weapon to achieve this? Social networks. France regularly accuses Russia of carrying out disinformation campaigns to discredit it. To defend itself, the army has launched a media counter-offensive on the internet.