Military and diplomats warn about the growing Russian influence on Sahel | Spain
Europe cannot lose sight on the Sahel, a region in which while the EU hesitated, The influence of Moscow does not stop increasing. This is one of the conclusions to which more than 80 military and diplomats gathered this week have reached this week in the first edition of the Geopolitical Days organized by the Spanish Institute of Strategic Studies (IEEE). The director of the institution, Colonel Víctor Bados, has warned in a press conference this Friday that The Russian Wagner Paramilitary Group « is generating instability » in countries such as Mali, Chad or Burkina Fasothat « pushes those who flee from wars » to Senegal and, subsequently, to the Canary Islands.
Bados has called the European Union, which is promoting that its members invest much more in defense, to « Look south » and to have « a vision of 360 degrees » of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On the opening day of the event, held on Wednesday at the Parador of the farm of San Ildefonso (Segovia), Josep Borrellformer EU representative for foreign affairs, also pointed out how Europe had lost its influence in the African region in a very short time. « When I see Sahel’s young Africans wielding ‘Putin has saved Donbás and now he will save us, » I wonder if we are able to counteract Russia’s narrative. In any case, Africa Corps, which is what the Wagnersthey are in all the Sahel and we are not, ”said Borrell.
The former European Vice President also warned that the South Front faces an instability framework. He explained that a supersonic missile « takes 15 minutes from Russia to Spain, as would take from Sahel. » Borrell showed his concern about the « Greater production capacity of all the elements of the war » of Russia from the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Another of the issues treated at the dialogue tables has been the rearma of the European Union. Captain Abel Romero Junquera has indicated that he White book on European defense, presented by the commission on March 19« It has limitations » and has assured that in the debate « institutional and military deficiencies have been identified. » The uncertainty faced by Europe has caused « different positions » on the defense of the EU. In addition, Romero has pointed out that Brussels « has never done a defense policy » outside the NATO framework, so « Europe is looking for a course. »
The participants in the geopolitical days discussed Thursday about this and other matters behind closed and without the presence of the press; What Bados describes as « failure » and ensures that it will be corrected in the next edition. In addition to high controls of the Spanish army, first -order diplomats participated. Josep Borrell was accompanied, among others, Bernardino León, who was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and for Latin America During the mandate of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.
Colonel Víctor Bados has congratulated the good development of dialogue tables. He explained that « the objectives » have been met « of the days, which were » gathering the epistemological and disciplinary community « of geopolitical experts and making » the culture of the importance of security « permeates the importance of security » in society. Everything that has been discussed at the dialogue tables will be transcribed and will be reflected in a book, which will be published before summer, according to IEEE sources.
Spain, NATO Red Farolillo
The investment of 1.28% of GDP places Spain as the European country that spends less in defense, According to provisional data by 2024. « (Spain) is the NATO red lantern, » said Borrell and pointed out that he moves a lot away from the European average, which is around 2% of GDP. Despite this, the new counting of military spending will bring Spain to countries such as Italy or Canada, although it has not yet been specified how it will be done. The former high representative said this the same day in which The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, justified in the Congress of Deputies the rise in military spending. Sanchez promised that the increase in investment will be « without touching a cent of social spending », although he did not present anything concrete, nor figures or deadlines.
Mark Rutte, NATO general secretary, did noted that Spain’s plan was to reach that 2% spending of GDP « this summer ». He did it in a colloquium in the Polish capital, Warsaw, also this Wednesday. An NATO source told El País that, with this comment, the secretary general referred to the « desire » of Spain to achieve the commitment of 2%. Sources from La Moncloa later clarified those words and assured that what Sánchez told Rutte, whom he received in Madrid on January 27, is that Spain « will try to get as much as possible to 2% this summer. » The Government intends to reorganize the budgets to increase between 3,500 and 5,000 million euros at least defense items.
