Faith Nyasuguta
Russia has sent approximately 200 military instructors to Equatorial Guinea in a strategic move to strengthen the presidency, sources told Reuters. These instructors are stationed in Malabo, the capital, and Bata, the mainland city nestled between Cameroon and Gabon.
This development signals a broader shift in regional power dynamics, as Western influence declines while Russia’s presence expands across West and Central Africa. Moscow has already positioned thousands of mercenaries in various countries, providing security for military regimes and aiding in the fight against insurgencies.
For Russia, these operations represent both a source of government revenue and economic advantages, particularly in the energy and mining sectors.They also serve as a countermeasure to Western power amid the ongoing geopolitical confrontations, notably involving the conflict in Ukraine.
In Equatorial Guinea, the arrival of Russian security personnel could prove significant for the government of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who, at 82, has ruled since a 1979 coup and is reportedly preparing for his son, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue (Teodorin), to assume leadership. During a visit to Moscow in September, President Obiang publicly thanked President Vladimir Putin for dispatching instructors to reinforce the country’s defense, as reported by TASS, the state news agency.
Sources have corroborated the deployment, citing that between 100 to 200 Russian personnel have arrived in recent months. There is speculation that some troops may be from Belarus, a close Russian ally, while others might belong to the Kremlin-linked Africa Corps, a paramilitary unit, or an elite Russian paratrooper team.
This surge in Russian activity comes after job postings in June on pro-military Telegram channels advertised security positions in Equatorial Guinea, offering pay between $3,000 and $5,000 per month, payable in cash or cryptocurrency. These ads have since been taken down.
The main mission of these instructors is reportedly to protect Vice-President Teodorin, who is widely considered the heir to the presidency. Known for his extravagant lifestyle, Teodorin has been embroiled in multiple international investigations on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, facing scrutiny in the U.S., France, and the U.K.
This deployment highlights a pivotal moment in Equatorial Guinea’s political scene as the government seeks protection and loyalty from non-Western allies. At the same time, it highlights Russia’s broader strategy of extending its influence and challenging the traditional Western geopolitical stronghold on the continent.
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