Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, announced on Friday that Russia is prepared to supply Somalia’s army with military equipment to aid in its fight against terrorism.

Lavrov made the offer during discussions with his Somali counterpart, Abshir Omar Jama, in Moscow.

The move highlights Russia’s growing interest in Africa and its willingness to support countries grappling with conflict, thereby challenging Western influence in the region.

Currently, Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are active in several African nations, including the Central African Republic, Mali, Mozambique, and Libya.

Somalia, plagued by attacks from extremist groups like al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda, recently launched a major offensive against al-Shabaab.

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These extremist organizations have hindered Somalia’s recovery from years of internal strife.

Russia’s strategy in Africa involves forming alliances with regimes or factions that have been isolated by the West or face internal challenges.

In exchange for military support from Wagner and recognition from the Kremlin, African leaders grant Russia access to valuable resources such as oil, gas, gold, diamonds, and minerals.

Russia’s influence in Africa was evident when 17 out of the 35 African countries abstained from voting on a UN resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Somalia, which had previously voted in favor of the resolution, has been working on improving its relations with Russia, which were severed in 1978 when Moscow supported Ethiopia in its war against Somalia.