Russia accuses Macron of authorizing hits on 'undesirable' African leaders

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has leveled serious allegations against France, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of authorizing covert operations to assassinate African leaders deemed undesirable by Paris. In a statement released Monday, the SVR claimed the Macron administration is desperately seeking a "political comeback" in Africa after losing influence to "patriotic forces" in former French colonies.

Specific Allegations Against French Operations

The Russian agency asserted that France was involved in a failed January 3 coup attempt in Burkina Faso aimed at eliminating President Ibrahim Traore, whom it described as an anti-neocolonial leader. The SVR further alleged that after this failure, Paris shifted tactics to destabilize the Sahel region, particularly Mali, by collaborating with local terrorist groups and utilizing drones and instructors supplied by Ukraine to target President Assimi Goita's government. Similar plots were alleged against the Central African Republic and Madagascar, where new leadership has pursued closer ties with the BRICS bloc.

Context of Geopolitical Rivalry in Africa

The accusations reflect the intensifying geopolitical competition between Russia and Western nations, particularly France, across Africa. Russia's Wagner Group and its successors have expanded security partnerships with several Sahel states that have expelled French forces. The SVR's statement employs strong anti-colonial rhetoric, claiming France acts as a "parasitic metropolis" to plunder its former colonies, a narrative designed to resonate with anti-Western sentiments on the continent.

Unverified Claims and Diplomatic Tensions

These allegations from the SVR remain unverified and are not accompanied by publicly disclosed evidence. They function as a form of information warfare aimed at discrediting France and bolstering Russia's image as an anti-colonial ally. For nations like Türkiye, which pursues a balanced and economically focused foreign policy in Africa, such public accusations between major external powers underscore the volatile nature of continental diplomacy and the risks of proxy conflicts.