Chinedu Okafor
- Russian warships visited Tobruk naval base in eastern Libya for a courtesy visit.
- Russia aims to expand its influence in Africa, causing concern in the West.
- The visit is part of Russia’s strategy to strengthen relationships and influence with African countries.
A couple of Russian warships recently touched down at the Tobruk naval base in eastern Libya for a courtesy visit. The visit was commemorated on Sunday via a ceremony put together by the Libyans to welcome the Russia’s partnership. This is part of Russia’s broader plan to expand its influence in Africa, a move that seems to be making the West a tad more weary.
A report by the Arab Weekly showed that 2 Russian warships, the cruiser Varyag and the frigate Admiral Shaposhnikov, arrived at the Libyan naval base; Tobruk, as relayed via the Naval Forces General Staff. The Russian warships were welcomed and pleasantries were exchanged during a reception, according to the pro-Haftar General Staff Facebook page.
The visit aligns with Russia’s goal to strengthen its relationships and influence with African countries. Both sides via this exercise would begin cooperating in the areas of training, maintenance, technical, and logistical support. Furthermore, both sides hope to facilitate the sharing of expertise and information, as well as enhance collaboration in marine security.
“In the face of growing Russian influence, the United States and the European Union have tried during the past two years to win over Haftar,” the Arab Weekly report reads.
“There were successive visits by European officials to Benghazi. On two recent occasions, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also offered economic and security contracts and deals in exchange for Haftar’s pledge to cooperate in stopping the flow of migrants towards Europe,” it adds.
Observers and analysts continue to weigh in on Moscow’s desire to expand into Africa, particularly given the growing concerns in Europe regarding how such an expansion might affect their interests. Some have also issued warnings about how serious the situation could become.
Some footage was made public by local Libyan media last week, showing the arrival of a fifth group of Russian troops at the Hariga port in Tobruk, on the country’s east side, along with military supplies such as weapons, ammunition, and military trucks to form the Russian African Legion.
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Chinedu Okafor is a Senior Reporter at Business Insider Africa with 5 years experience creating profoundly engaging and insightful content.
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Russia warships arrive in Libya as Moscow expands influence
In the face of growing Russian influence, the United States and the European Union have tried during the past two years to win over Haftar. The Naval Forces General Staff, aligned with Haftar, announced that the cruiser Varyag and the frigate Admiral Shaposhnikov, two Russian warships, had arrived at the Tobruk naval base in eastern Libya for a working visit.
A ceremony was held last Sunday to greet the Russian warships, and welcoming remarks were exchanged during a reception, as reported on the pro-Haftar General Staff’s Facebook page. According to the same source, the visit aims to enhance collaboration and alignment between the two sides in the areas of training, maintenance, technical and logistical support.
Additionally, the parties seek to facilitate the exchange of expertise and information, as well as to promote cooperation in maritime security. In the face of growing Russian influence, the United States and the European Union have tried during the past two years to win over Haftar. There were successive visits by European officials to Benghazi. On two recent occasions, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also offered economic and security contracts and deals in exchange for Haftar’s pledge to cooperate in stopping the flow of migrants towards Europe.
Earlier this month, Martin Andrew, the British ambassador to Libya, met the Libyan army commander in Benghazi to push the view that all parties must participate in the UN political process. Talks about Russian influence in Libya and Moscow’s desire to expand in Africa in general, are at the forefront of observers’ and analysts’ talk, especially with the mounting European concerns over the impact of such an expansion could have on their interests, while others have warned of the seriousness of the situation.
According to a Daily Express report, the Russian presence in Libya enabled Moscow to obtain five billion euros, in addition to more than 2.5 billion euros in smuggled gold. Russia also gained control over a diamond mine worth one billion euros in the Central African Republic, with net revenues annual of 300 million euros.
Fears are also growing over Russian expansion in Libya in the west of the country. The religious leadership in the Dar Al-Iftaa had previously stated that it was monitoring the arrival of Russian forces and weapons, in preparation for the deployment of an “Africa Corps” across Libya and other neighbouring countries. It said that what it called “jihad” against these forces “is a legal duty that falls upon the shoulders of the people of Libya,” adding in a statement, that the Russian military presence on Libyan territory constitutes a form of occupation and invasion.
Last week, local Libyan media published footage indicating the arrival of a fifth batch of Russian troops at the Hariga port in the city of Tobruk in the far east of Libya, along with, over 45 days, military equipment, including weapons, ammunition and military trucks to establish the Russian African Legion.
Energy-rich Libya is split between a United Nations-recognised government in the capital Tripoli in the west and the Haftar-backed rival administration that rules from Benghazi and Tobruk in the east. Presidential elections that had aimed to unify the fractured country were scheduled for late 2021 but then postponed indefinitely.
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Italian authorities seize ship carrying Chinese weapons to Libya
Italian authorities conducted an operation at the port of Gioia Tauro, seizing a cargo ship allegedly carrying millions of dollars worth of weapons from China to forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya, according to Corriere della Sera.
The report stated that Italian security forces acted on intelligence from the United States. On June 18, they intercepted the large container ship in the southwestern port of Gioia Tauro, where they confiscated its cargo.
The operation aimed to seize millions of dollars worth of weapons. According to U.S. officials, the ship’s suspected destination was Benghazi, under Haftar’s control.
The vessel in question, the “MSC Arina,” departed from Shenzhen, China, on April 30. It passed through Singapore, the Cape of Good Hope, and Gibraltar before entering the Mediterranean. After stopping at the ports of Valencia and Barcelona in Spain, it reached Gioia Tauro on June 18.
U.S. officials reportedly decided to seize the weapons when the ship arrived in Italy, possibly requesting assistance from their Italian allies.
When asked about the seizure, MSC, the shipping company, stated there was no record of such an event. The report noted that it is not uncommon for commercial ships of major international companies to be used for illicit transportation without the shipowners’ knowledge.
Following the June 18 operation, the MSC Arina departed Gioia Tauro on June 20, continuing its journey in the western Mediterranean.
U.S.-Russia Tensions Over Libya
The report also highlighted the geopolitical implications, noting that the operation occurred amid renewed U.S.-Russia tensions over Libya. The United Nations sanctions prohibit the export of military equipment to Libya.
“American and European intelligence services suspect the Kremlin intends to establish a military port in Tobruk, under Haftar’s control, creating a strategic point of access that would extend Russian military presence to Sudan, Niger, Chad, and the Central African Republic,” the report said.
A Russian military base in Tobruk would be close to the southern flank of the European Union and NATO, and near the U.S. Sixth Fleet’s headquarters in Naples. The report added, “Moscow may be leveraging U.S. focus on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine and the presidential campaign to increase its influence in Africa via Haftar.”
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