Russia’s moves in Africa problematic for U.S. interests, general says

Langley appeared before the committee along with Military Lt. Gen. Bryan Fenton, Biden’s choose to lead U.S. Exclusive Operations Command.

Civilian killings soar as Russian mercenaries be part of combat in West Africa

Lawmakers expressed acute worry about Moscow’s use of the mercenary outfit Wagner Team to elevate Russia’s profile on the continent, highlighting the group’s activities in Mali, the place again-to-back again military coups have destabilized the region and, they argued, given Russia a foothold in West Africa.

They also apprehensive that Russia’s expanding influence throughout the continent could elbow the United States out of Africa’s rich commodities-mining sector, focusing certain awareness on uncommon-earth minerals these as cobalt, a significant part of rechargeable lithium ion batteries, made use of in cellphones, electric automobiles and quite a few other solutions.

In Africa, Eastern Europe battles Russian narrative on Ukraine

The lawmakers expressed alarm, far too, in excess of Russia’s current accomplishment rallying assistance among the African leaders in opposition to Western sanctions. Very last month, Senegalese President Macky Sall, chairman of the African Union, issued a public attractiveness following a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking Western nations to elevate punitive actions focusing on food products, particularly grain.

The West has accused Russia of setting off a international meals disaster by invading Ukraine and blocking its grain exports — some of the most sizeable in the world — from leaving Ukrainian ports. Moscow has also been accused of thieving Ukrainian grain and promoting it globally as if it have been Russian-created.

“There’s considerable get the job done to be performed about telling the suitable tale,” Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said throughout Thursday’s hearing.

“It pains me to see African leaders accepting disinformation about what’s creating this epidemic of starvation in Africa,” he extra, declaring it is essential that U.S. leaders set much more effort at the rear of “winning the narrative war.”

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Kaine and other senators appealed to Langley, who is likely to be confirmed in the coming months, to look at his subsequent job not only as a armed service posture but also a single that consists of diplomacy. Langley agreed with that interpretation of the occupation and with the rising threat Russian expansion in Africa poses to U.S. pursuits.

“The Wagner group, they have unwell intentions,” Langley said, noting that the corporation has assisted to proliferate Russia’s currently major portfolio of arms product sales in Africa.

By partnering with opposition actions, like the military coup leaders in Mali and governments in other components of Africa, the Wagner Team has assisted amplify Russia’s footprint there further than its already considerable arms profits, which make up just about 50 percent of the continent’s armed service devices imports.

“It just brings on fragility, especially across fragile countries,” Langley stated, promising that, if verified, “we will reengage, we will reset” and show that “we are still the partner of alternative.”