Authors

Discussion

This paper explores Russia's strategic use of BRICS to expand its influence in North Africa and the Sahel, particularly since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Moscow has sought to position BRICS as a counterweight to Western-led institutions, appealing to nations seeking autonomy while strengthening ties with Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Sahelian countries. Through the bloc, Russia counters Western isolation, advances its anti-NATO agenda, and pursues regional goals in security, energy, and economic cooperation.

Russia also uses BRICS to amplify its ideological stance, employing the bloc as a platform to critique Western dominance, promote decolonial rhetoric, and champion a multipolar world order. Russia seeks to destabilize the West by, for example, promoting the reduction of reliance over US dollars and the use of local currency in trade relations. Disinformation campaigns and the deployment of the Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group in the Sahel and North Africa bolster these efforts, offering Moscow tools to challenge Western influence and entrench its regional presence.

While BRICS allows Russia to deepen its economic, military, and diplomatic ties in North Africa, its strategy has vulnerabilities. Reliance on Wagner and disinformation exposes cracks in its approach, and BRICS still lacks the legitimacy to act as a truly global platform. These weaknesses present opportunities for Western nations to counter Russia’s influence by fostering stability, offering credible alternatives, and strengthening regional partnerships.

This study provides a nuanced understanding of Russia’s BRICS strategy in North Africa and the Sahel, revealing its role in navigating a shifting global order marked by rising multipolarity and intensifying great-power competition.