Russian influence in Africa ups concerns

WASHINGTON — Nearly 200 Russian mercenaries have deployed in recent months to Mozambique to combat a growing Islamic State offshoot there, even as Moscow is taking initial steps toward building a military port in the Horn of Africa that could become Russia’s first permanent base on the continent.

Russia is steadily expanding its military influence across Africa by increasing arms sales, security agreements and training programs for unstable countries or autocratic leaders. Other recent actions by Moscow include quietly deploying mercenaries and political advisers in several countries, such as the Central African Republic. Hundreds of Russian fighters have arrived in Libya in recent months as part of a broad campaign by the Kremlin to intervene on behalf of the militia leader Khalifa Hifter to shape the outcome of Libya’s civil war.

U.S. officials, analyzing what they call great power competition, say they are alarmed by Russia’s growing influence, as well as China’s, as Washington struggles to exert its economic and security goals on the continent.

This campaign for influence is playing out as Defense Secretary Mark Esper is weighing the potential withdrawal of hundreds of forces from West Africa to better counter threats from Russia and China closer to their borders.

But Esper’s review has drawn sharp criticism from influential Republicans and Democrats in Congress who argue that cutting U.S. forces in Africa would help only its rivals.

“A withdrawal from the continent would also certainly embolden both Russia and China,” Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Christopher Coons, D-Del., wrote to Esper this month.

Florence Parly, the French defense minister, met with Esper on Monday to press the Pentagon to continue its assistance to 4,500 French troops operating in West Africa against a resurgent mix of groups affiliated with both al-Qaida and the Islamic State.