While Russia's invasion of Ukraine is certain to dominate an upcoming NATO summit in Madrid, the alliance's new Strategic Concept -- its main working document for the next decade -- is having to contend with Russia and China's growing influence in Africa. The current version, approved in Lisbon in 2010, stated the risk of a conventional war on NATO territory was "low." But there appears to be a consensus among NATO members heading into the Madrid summit that while Russia remains concern No. In Mali, Wagner soldiers are filling a void created by the exit of former colonial power France. The foreign minister of Mauritania, a former French colony in West Africa, is also invited to attend a working dinner of fellow foreign ministers at the NATO summit.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 26, 2022 11:58 UTC