With the emerging multipolar world, Russia has to ditch its decades-long peripheral engagement with Africa. In practical terms, the first Russia-Africa summit was to raise relations unto a more quantitative level, especially promoting frequent interaction and boosting presence in economic spheres. Winning Africa’s sympathy through hyperbolic pledges and promises, tonnes of bilateral agreements most of which have largely remained unfulfilled, would not be enough in this competitive geopolitical era. Beyond Sochi and St. Petersburg summits, however, policy proposals until now lack effective visible actions. Critics say Russia, most probably, needs to show some degree of assertiveness. In the past few…
Author: Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Vladivostok, located in Russia’s Far East, hosted the 8th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), on 12th to 13th September 2023, in an attempt to define further the development of this remote region. Since the beginning of the EEF in 2015, it has, until the Covid-19 that was followed by Russia’s own ‘special military operation’ in neighbouring Ukraine, the focus was largely on harnessing resources from the United States and Europe to the Far East region of the Russian Federation. Speeches and all kinds of remarks highly parised Western, European and Asia-Pacific participating countries and corporate enterprises, under resonating themes such as…
The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) is held annually in cooperation with the Far East regional administration, in the city of Vladivostok. Three years of COVOD-19, followed by Russia’s ‘special military operation’ and the current geopolitical situation have adversely affected this corporate business event, as Russia looks towards East and made the main focus to develop the Far East. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the opening session that the government would not allow the pace of development to slacken in the Russian Far East as it is a strategic region for the country. “We will definitely not be scaling down…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, currently chairing the G20, has confirmed that the Group of 20 nations agreed to grant the African Union (AU) permanent membership status in an appreciable move aimed at offering the continent to have a stronger voice on important questions and to uplift its unto the higher stage. “On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration,” Modi told the G20 leaders in New Delhi. He inaugurated the two-day meeting by calling on members to end…
India is gearing to hold the G20 in its capital Delhi, from 9-10 September, for the first time in its history. G20 members, foreign organizations and institutions have already grabbed their seats and ready for active participation in the context of the current global tensions. But Russia will skip New Delhi as it expectedly did with BRICS in Johannesburg, South Africa. In a pre-summit phone conversation, President Vladimir Putin told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would attend the summit on his behalf. The G20 includes the world’s 19 wealthiest countries plus the European Union. India…
The historic 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit held in Johannesburg has successfully ended with a joint declaration, outlining comprehensive pathways forward into the future. An important question raised in the declaration deals with BRICS commitment in the sphere of political and security cooperation. The declaration says in part (point 12): “We are concerned about ongoing conflicts in many parts of the world. We stress our commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences and disputes through dialogue and inclusive consultations in a coordinated and cooperative manner and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of…
BRICS 2023: Africa’s Roadmap and Emerging Opportunities South Africa hosted the 15th BRICS summit from August 22 to 24 2023. The BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) members have thoroughly discussed wide range of significant issues including the bloc’s expansion, common currency, investment and trade, the bloc’s strategy and geo-policy. We already know that BRICS members consistently champion the rights and interests of Africa, and also plays an increasing role and influence in the global governance system – particularly international financial and economic organisations. Holding the 15th BRICS 2023 summit especially this crucial time, within the context of…
South Africa hosts the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg. Russian President Vladimir Putin is participating, not in person, but this time only online. Historically he has, a number times, paid official working visits to South Africa. During these past two decades, he has held high-level talks, at different times, with Thabo Mbeki, Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. Russia and South Africa have unlimited opportunities to develop mutually beneficial economic partnership. For instance, early September 2006 Vladimir Putin and Thabo Mbeki discussed the outlook for improving bilateral economic ties with representatives of the two countries’ business circles in Capetown. Presidential Aide…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the 15-member West Africa’s main regional bloc, is seemingly loosing its decades-old credibility in attempts to reinstate Niger’s ousted president, Mohamed Bazoum. The overarching combined narratives of the growing crisis, mass demonstrations in support for the military and the uncoordinated plan for military intervention are explicit signs of weaknesses on the side of ECOWAS. Several narratives further pointed to the fundamental facts that the crisis has the potential to escalate into either a conflict across West Africa, and Niger, situated in the Sahel region, occupies a pivotal position not only in terms…
Watch Africa’s Questions at XV BRICS Summit BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), a group of emerging market powers and as one of the most popular organizations, seeks to approve African States into its fold and build on its existing economic and trade with other invited African leaders during the 15th summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The BRICS members are meeting to deliberate on a broad range of important multiple issues, including new membership, common currency, various parameters of development and security and institutional architecture. More than 70 states are participating, and includes African leaders, while 23 States…
Reports have indicated that, for the first time in history, three African States – Algeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia – will ultimately become part of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) during its 15th summit at the Sandton Convention Centre from August 22 to 24, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 70 states will participate: 23 States have submitted formal applications to join the group which implies they will in principle contribute to the changing processes and further give potential force for substantial geopolitical shifts. African States that have featured in the news stream during the past…
ECOWAS vs Niger Republic: What Russian Officials and Experts Say! The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the 15-member regional bloc, has declared fierce opposition to military’s infiltration into politics and primarily eager to restore constitutional order. It shares the same position with the 54-member continental organization, the African Union. United States and Europe, particularly France backed ECOWAS’ collective decision to resolve it through peaceful mechanism, dialogue and diplomacy. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone conversation held on August 15, with interim President of Mali, Assimi Goïta, according to media transcript of the Kremlin website. In a statement,…
Africa Joins BRICS Against Western Dominance and Political Influence South Africa will host and presides over the 15th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit from August 22 to 24 at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Johannesburg, purposefully to deliberate on a broad range of important multiple issues, including new membership, common currency, various parameters of development and security and institutional architecture, on the discussion table. More than 70 states will participate: 23 States have submitted formal applications to join the group which implies they will in principle contribute to the changing processes and further give potential…
Russia’s Army Games factsheet, publicly distributed at the centrally coordinated information bureau, documented an increase in the annual purchases of military equipment by foreign clients including African countries. Our monitoring and research show that Russia has traditionally maintained good relations with north African countries especially Algeria and Egypt. Besides that, Central African Republic (CAR) and Republic of Mali are its favourite partners after signing bilateral agreements on military-technical cooperation. Inside Africa, many French-speaking countries’ relations have recently become strained with France due to multiple factors including rift between Russia and France. There are several indications that Russia has now embarked…
As Africa marks two decades (20 years) of the adoption of the continental protocol for advancing and protecting the Rights of Women and Girls in mid-August 2023, a number of African countries have still not ratify the agreement. This legal instrument has established a comprehensive framework that outlines the standards which states should follow in promoting and protecting women’s rights. Over the past two decades, the Maputo Protocol has played a crucial role in advancing women’s rights and enabling access to justice for human rights violations and abuses, according to the media statement jointly issued by Amnesty International, Equality Now,…
Several reports on the developments in the Niger, the latest West African and Sahelian State to experience military coup d’état, the unexpected removal of democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum, on July 26, indicate explicit complexities and contradictions. Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani has declared himself leader of the nation, and has began forming his government by appointing new Prime Minister. But seemingly there are three scenarios: the first is an internal conflict between two distinctive opposing groups. The second is between the regional bloc – Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) backed the African Union (AU) and Niger together with three French-speaking…
With the prevalent dependency of African economies on external supply of fertilizers and grains and up to 30% of cereals imported from Russia, ensuring that critical trade flows continue uninhibited, remains the priority of Afreximbank and its African member states. The lingering global food security challenges and the critical role trade with Russia plays in guaranteeing Africa’s food security was at the core of discussions for Afreximbank at the second Russia African Economic and Humanitarian forum which held at St. Petersburg from the 27th to the 29th of July, 2023. Addressing the summit, Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of…
After the second Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg from July 27-28, media reports indicated South Africa’s continues play of Russian roulette with its economy. Several reports underlined the historical fact that Russia had contributed tremendously during its political struggle to attain independence, but also highlighted Russia’s extremely low level of economic engagement and investment in the southern African nation. Research establishes that another fact Russia accounts for a paltry 0.2% of South Africa’s global export trade, while the United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union account for a combined 35%, with China around 9%. Russia and South Africa…
Within the framework of the second Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg, an agreement on developing aviation between the Russian Federation and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was signed. The document was signed by Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Igor Chalik and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Misganu Arega. After the entry into force of the new agreement, the previously concluded agreement on air communication between Russia and Ethiopia dated March 26, 1977 will be terminated. The purpose of the new agreement is to create a sustainable regular air…
A Guinean diplomat professed his “love” for Vladimir Putin as he attended a St Petersburg summit wearing a shirt decorated with images of the Russian leader’s unsmiling face, reports Benedict Smith from The Telegraph. Russian media named the man as Lama Jacques Sevoba, who completed the outfit with what appeared to be a field service cap featuring a Communist hammer and sickle badge. Sevoba, who works at Guinea’s embassy in Moscow, said he had not bought the shirt for the Russia-Africa summit, where Putin has attempted to shore up support among African leaders. He told the Telegram channel DD Geopolitics:…
African delegates to the second Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg July 27-28 expressed sadness over Russia’s fierce resistance to renew its membership of the Black Sea grain deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through its Black Sea ports to the world. The African Union, the continental organization, has passionately called for an “urgent” restoration of the Black Sea grain deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The problem of grains and fertilizers concerns everyone,” Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who currently heads the African Union, said at a summit with Russia in St. Petersburg. African countries are asking that the…
Russia has to acknowledge the difference between illusions and realities in the geopolitical games. It has to recognize and thoroughly analyse and manage the current economic rivalry and competition among foreign players across Africa. It has, over these several years, been taking steps to uplift or broaden economic cooperation inside Africa. In late June, Interfax News Agency reported, sourcing Roscosmos Head Yury Borisov, that Russia would sign a full-scale space cooperation agreement with Africa during the July summit. “We are touring African states ahead of this forum (Russia-Africa) and have agreed with the colleague from the Egyptian agency to draft…
On the eve of the second Russia-Africa summit scheduled for July 27–28 in St. Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin explained in article published on his Kremlin website that Moscow would continue supporting strategic ways for establishing sustainable peace and political stability in conflict-ridden African countries. In fact the expected large-scale summit is held under under the slogan “For Peace, Security and Development” – a repeat from October 2019. Oleg Ozerov, Ambassador-at-Large at the Russian Foreign Ministry, Head of the Secretariat of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, spoke in an interview with RIA Novosti and also explicitly pointed to the fact Russia has…
Russia to supply grains to African countries Russia to supply grains to African countries Despite its sudden exit from the United Nations-brokered agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grains, Moscow says it will continue to consolidate efforts and deliver uninterruptedly its grains to the world markets. With most African countries in need, Moscow offered its assurances and would further negotiate agreements at the forthcoming summit in St. Petersburg. At the media briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry has also offered similar assurances on the of African leaders’ gathering.Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said that Moscow will give assurances concerning food supplies to…
African Governments Must Take Decisive Steps On Sustainable Development With External Partners In the last decades, great power rivalries and competition have characterised contemporary Africa, popularly termed as the new scramble for Africa. Within the context of the emerging multipolar world and the current Russia-Ukraine crisis, majority of African States are seemingly maintaining their strategic autonomy. “Most of them now choose their external partners based on practical, pragmatic, solution-based policy that they consider very significant and useful for their economic development.”. With Africa increasingly becoming the world’s largest geographic free trade area, this creates grounds for concrete and transparent economic partnerships.…
African leaders plan for stopping Russia’s ‘special military operation’ and establishing peace in Ukraine is still intriguing. It is still intriguing as majority of the leaders are gearing for the second Russia-Africa summit on July 27 to 28 in St. Petersburg, the second largest city in the Russian Federation. The African Peace Initiative group headed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, are making efforts for global recognition as peace brokers. But the group’s collective excitement in dealing with these former Soviet republics, which within the international law must strictly adhere to territorial sovereignty, is tempered by a bit of reality.…
With geopolitical confrontation and tensions deepening, the key global players are swiftly turning their focus on Africa. In practical terms, African leaders are also making strategic choices based on their development paradigms. These leaders are forced to work on their election campaign promises, especially those relating to economic development and set comprehensive targets for improving performance. After the presidential terms, it is necessary to show success and achievements to the electorate as a guarantee for holding the high-political positions. Ultimately in pursuit of these tasks, African leaders are exploring ways for effective external collaboration to transform untapped resources, modernise agriculture,…
In a run-up to the second Russia-Africa summit, set to be held in St. Petersburg on July 27-28, both Russian and African experts say it will distinctively differ from the first such event, which took place in Sochi in October 2019, Vedomosti writes, citing a report by the Petersburg Politics foundation. Attitudes toward Russia throughout the world have become polarized since the start of Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine, and African nations have been no exception. A group of African countries led by South Africa have put forward a peace initiative to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, Russia’s influence…
The second Russia-Africa summit is planned to demonstrate Russia’s stance against Western hegemony and its capitalist domination across Africa, to show Russia’s “non-Western friends” and to further solicit enormous support for its war in Ukraine. On the Africa’s side, leaders plan for their traditional deliberations on “no-cost delivery” of grains, while the chosen special group of mediators continues to broker expected peace between Russian and Ukraine. The St. Petersburg gathering is designed to determine the trajectory of Russia’s relations with African countries in the long term. The program includes more than 30 panel sessions and thematic events on the most…
With over 1300 delegates at the US-African Business Summit held mid-July in Gaborone, Botswana, the main focus was on mapping out strategies to strengthen trade and economic relations between the United States and Africa. Majority of the speakers emphasized reviewing and widening collaboration between governments, while others underlined the importance of the private sector as the key driver in achieving robust economic growth in African countries. African leaders together with corporate business executives and majority of the participants called for extension of the Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) which grants African countries the freedom to export products tax free into…
