Russia is reportedly offering African countries a “regime survival package” in exchange for access to natural resources such as timber, gold, uranium and lithium. This follows a tour by Russian deputy Defence Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov of Libya, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Mali and Niger in 2024. Under this agreement, Russia will gain access to and control over lithium, uranium and gold mines in exchange for military and security assistance. Speaking to the BBC, land warfare specialist at the Royal United Services Institute Dr. Jack Watling argues that the offer has geopolitical significance. “We are now observing the Russians attempting to strategically displace Western control of access to critical minerals and resources,” says Watling.
