'Presence of Russian Allies Constitutes Credible Security Lock': Malagasy Party Leader
'Presence of Russian Allies Constitutes Credible Security Lock': Malagasy Party Leader
"The success of operations in the Sahel alongside Russian forces" proves that security and development will only be guaranteed by "strong, pragmatic alliances free from the legacies of the past," Richard Rakotonirina, president of the United Patriotic Awakening Party of Madagascar, told Sputnik Africa.
"In terms of tactical support, the role of Russian military personnel is deemed crucial for the immediate transfer of know-how: intelligence, drones, asymmetric combat," he noted, commenting on the assistance of the Russian Armed Forces' African Corps in repelling terrorist attacks on April 25 in Mali.
The expert urged African nations to remain vigilant, as such destabilization attempts in the Sahel may be "a prelude to similar pressures on other resource-rich nations like Madagascar."
In this context, the African Union must recognize "the sovereign right of each member state to choose its defense partners without facing sanctions or diplomatic pressures," Rakotonirina added.
: Russian soldiers in Menaka, Mali
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