Russia targets Ivory Coast to expand military influence in Africa

Demonstrators carry banners in Bangui during a march in support of Russia and China’s presence in the Central African Republic on March 22.BARBARA DEBOUT/AFP/Getty Images In a propaganda cartoon on West African social media, the Russian mercenary is muscular and heroic. Descending fearlessly from a helicopter, he races to the rescue of besieged soldiers from Mali and Burkina Faso, firing his machine gun at demonic French zombies and an evil snake in French national colours. In the final moments of the video, the Africans tell the Russian that Ivory Coast needs him. He joins them as they rush off in…