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Political Developments in Africa (Eugenio Battaglia, Italy, 01/23/23 2:51 am)

Regarding the ongoing war between Ukraine (NATO) and Russia, it has been reported that 171 Hungarian military officers, being too friendly with NATO, have been placed in retirement. At present five NATO countries have troops inside Hungary, including 260 Alpini (mountain soldiers) of the Brigata Taurinense, part of the NATO mission called "Enhanced Vigilance Activity."  Other Italian troops are in Latvia and Bulgaria (Italian commander). In addition, the Italian Air Force is participating in covering the skies of Slovenia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Romania.

Plus of course the old deployments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. The Italian Navy is also present in the Black Sea.

My (useless) suggestion is to bring the Italian Armed Forces back home in good readiness and send all the US troops stationed in Italy with their nukes to Eastern Europe or wherever they want/can go. If we could eliminate such military expenses, probably I would not have to pay 9 euros per gallon of diesel for my Jeep Renegade.

But today Africa is also in the Italian news.

PM Giorgia Meloni is at present in Algeria with the president of ENI to discuss the gas supply and to launch an African plan called the Mattei Plan, named for the great Enrico Mattei, who before his assassination pushed for cooperation between Italy and oil/gas producers in the developing world.  The Foreign Minister Tajani is on a visit to Egypt.

Following the example of Mali, Burkina Faso has requested French troops to get out of the country, most probably Russian Wagner troops will arrive.

Niger is the only Sahel nation still controlled by the Western world, with five countries from NATO, including 500 Italian soldiers, presently in the country.

The Italian missions in Europe, Asia, and Africa number at least 35! Oh, give me back the good old days of Mussolini when they were much fewer (Italian East Africa, Libya, Spain, Albania including the Corfu crisis in September of 1923) and only in the direct interest of Italy and not the Empire's interests. Italy ended up in wars, including WWII, reacting to foreign actions, maybe except for Albania. What about foreign pressure for the next possible WWIII?

Other developments in the neglected African continent are the upcoming elections in Mali, Nigeria, and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the guerilla war continues supported by Rwanda.  On 20 January all peace possibilities were broken, in spite of Kenya's support for Congo. I would say that each one of the 54 African States has enough troubles to spark an international crisis facilitated by interference from Russia, China, and the Empire.

JE comments:  Burkina Faso would prefer the Wagner gang over France?  According to Ghana's president, this is the case:

Ghana Repairs Rift With Burkina Faso After Wagner Claims (voanews.com)

The Wagner mercenaries, tasked with fighting insurgents, are allegedly financed by receipts from Burkina Faso's mines.  One can assume that the Wagneristi are seeking total control of this revenue. 

Eugenio, you are correct that we need to pay more attention to Africa.

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