LOMÉ, TOGO (Chatnewstv.com) — Russia is expanding its military and strategic footprint in West Africa, using new defense agreements with littoral states such as Togo and São Tomé and Príncipe to secure port access, grow its Africa Corps presence, and challenge Western influence across the Atlantic coast, according to a detailed analysis by Critical Threats, a project of the American Enterprise Institute.
The Russian parliament ratified a sweeping military cooperation agreement with Togo on July 22, enabling joint exercises, training, arms transfers, and naval support, including hydrography and anti-piracy missions. Unconfirmed reports suggest the deal may grant Moscow “unfettered” access to the port of Lomé, a move that could mark Russia’s most significant Atlantic reach to date.
“This agreement is not just about defense—it’s about power projection,” the Critical Threats report said.
“Lomé could become a logistics hub linking Russia’s Sahel allies with the Atlantic, giving Moscow a direct corridor to support its Africa Corps operations.”
Togo’s deepening ties with the Kremlin follow a shift away from former colonial power France. In recent years, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has sought stronger bilateral ties with Russia, hosting senior Russian defense officials and allegedly welcoming dozens of Russian military advisers to assist in building forward operating bases.
Critics say the Kremlin is offering Togo what has become known as its “regime security package,” a combination of elite security training, information warfare assistance, and political support. According to Ukraine’s National Resistance Center, Russia planned to back Gnassingbé’s 2025 reelection campaign with strategic communications support—plans that were overtaken by Togo’s controversial shift to a parliamentary system that allows Gnassingbé to remain in power without elections.
“This transition has sparked mass protests and accusations of a constitutional coup,” Critical Threats noted.
“Russia’s model of supporting autocratic regimes with security and disinformation fits squarely into this environment.”
Beyond Togo, Russia is also exploring similar defense pacts with Benin and has already secured port access rights in São Tomé and Príncipe, where Russian vessels can now refuel. Analysts say these moves are part of a larger strategy to secure a sustained naval presence in the Atlantic and encircle the Sahel with pro-Moscow allies.
“The Kremlin likely seeks Atlantic port access to support its logistics network in the Sahel,” the report explained.
“Port access in Lomé would connect Russia’s strategic partners in the Alliance of Sahel States—Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—with the Gulf of Guinea.”
The Critical Threats assessment outlines how Russia used the port of Conakry in Guinea for large-scale arms shipments to Mali during the transition from the Wagner Group to its new Africa Corps. Similar logistics operations were seen in Douala, Cameroon, supporting Central African Republic deployments.
Russia’s ambitions may go even further. In January 2023, it deployed an Admiral Gorshkov–class frigate for hypersonic missile drills in the Atlantic. Military experts believe port access in West Africa is a stepping stone toward full-scale naval operations that could threaten NATO’s southern flank.
Yet the Kremlin’s aggressive push into the region puts it on a collision course with the United States, which considers Togo a key partner in maritime security and counterterrorism.
“The United States has invested heavily in northern Togo under the Global Fragility Act,” the report said.
“A larger Russian footprint could disrupt joint operations, particularly as Russia promotes a military-first approach that contrasts with the U.S.’s population-centric strategy.”
The potential fallout is already visible. The U.S. Embassy in Togo has warned that Russian influence may undermine regional neutrality and democratic governance. At the same time, Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey recently wrote in The Hill, describing Togo as “the United States’ most capable defense partner in coastal West Africa.”
Despite overlapping engagements, American re-engagement with Sahelian states is hampered by U.S. laws restricting military aid to coup-installed governments, such as in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where elections have been repeatedly delayed. Meanwhile, Russia has filled the vacuum with arms deals, counterterrorism support, and now nuclear energy partnerships, including a new deal between Niger and Russia’s Rosatom signed in July.
As Russia expands its strategic playbook across West Africa—from energy to logistics to regime support—experts warn the region is becoming the latest battleground in the global competition between autocracy and democratic influence.
“This is more than geopolitics,” Critical Threats concluded.
“It’s a test of whether the West can offer real, sustained partnerships—or cede the ground to Russia’s transactional model.”
Editor: Gabriel Ani
