Russia accuses France of attempting to overthrow several African presidents

Russia’s foreign intelligence service has accused France of destabilizing the Sahel and Sahara region, with the help of local and foreign fighters, stressing that Ukraine, which has been at war with Russia since February 24, 2022, is supplying them with drones.

The Russian intelligence service reported that France is discussing plans to overthrow the new president of Madagascar (Michael Randrianirina), pointing out that French President Emmanuel Macron has ordered his security services to prepare a plan to eliminate undesirable leaders in Africa.

The Russian foreign intelligence noted that France’s involvement in the failed coup attempt in Burkina Faso on January 3, 2026 has been confirmed against interim President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, accusing Paris of providing direct support to terrorists of all kinds who have become its main allies in Africa.

They highlighted that the main terrorist strike in the Sahel region is directed against Mali, and includes attacks on fuel trucks, attempts to impose sieges on cities and the terror of civilians with the aim of creating the conditions for the overthrow of President Assimi Goita.

Moscow’s foreign intelligence service also accused France of continuing to look for opportunities to sow chaos in the Central African Republic, saying that the Macron administration was striving to find opportunities for political revenge on the African continent.

France hasn’t yet officially commented on Russia’s accusations, but according to some of its media outlets, it has previously rejected similar accusations and stressed that its interventions in Africa are carried out within the framework of officially recognized bilateral or multilateral agreements, especially in the fight against armed groups.

French media considered that the announcement by the Russian intelligence service reflects the official position of the Russian authorities, and at this stage it isn’t considered confirmed facts from independent sources.

France’s influence in the African Sahel has declined in recent years, following a series of military coups in some countries in the region, where its military forces were expelled from several countries, and the new military rulers allied with Russia.