Palestine-Israeli conflict, which began in October 2023, has received global condemnations, while South Africa became the first to concretely showcase large-scale genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands. According to the United Nations reports, Israel’s relentless military campaign on Gaza has since left at least 26,083 dead – about 70 percent of them women, children and adolescents. At first, Russia has been extra-cautious talking about the Palestine-Israeli situation because of two main factors. The first is connected to its own military bombardment of Ukraine, distinctive similar to Israel’s. South Africa has not raised genocide…
Author: Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
With geopolitical changes intensifying, Russia is steadily broadening influence by making economic investments, creating informal military bases and selling weapons to African countries. Under memorandum of understanding signed on military-technical cooperation, suffice to note that so far totalled 38 African countries with Russia, according to several reports. It aims at restoring peace and democracy in conflict-infested African countries, this reflected in summit declarations adopted in Sochi [2019] and St. Petersburg [2023]. Ensuring security sustainability has become one of the biggest challenges in Africa. Given chronic instability in most parts of Africa and high interest in acquiring military equipment to tackle growing security…
Most of African political leaders are now reacting to post-Soviet politics and emerging economic possibilities in Russia. With emerging multipolarism, some leaders are already adapting to the fast-changing situation and adjusting policies that would support their development goals and effectively work on their election pledges. Despite the internal development hurdles, majority are shifting from the Western and European alliances, looking forward towards cooperating with countries in the Global South. Professor Vladimir Shubin, Institute for African Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, has raised some serious issues in Russian-African relations that need careful consideration. In the first place, inside Africa,…
South Africa Talks Genocide At UN. South Africa, the first African country to push for a compelling genocide accusation case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the developments at the Gaza Strip show, it has taken on the genocide case triggered by a disproportionate military response or the high number of Palestinian casualties. It has thus become the first, in the world’s rating, to file a lawsuit against Israel for allegedly violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. But the…
Geopolitics is seemingly influencing Russia’s approach to many issues ranging from its own approach in politics, its own economic design and cultural attitudes. But for it to lead the expected transformational multipolar arrangement, Russia has to open up and create pathways that portray cultural integration, intensify people-to-people interactions and organize more cultural activities with participation of ‘friendly countries’ desperately seeking alternatives to the United States-controlled “rules-based order” and prefer to be guided by their own interests and those of their partners especially this year and farther beyond. Russia has taken over the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and BRICS (an…
Ethiopia, after attaining fully-fledged BRICS (an association consisting of nations) membership beginning 2024, has suddenly come under global condemnation over recognizing its neighbour Somaliland. As its political development stands, Ethiopia became the first African nation to publicly and officially declare breakaway Somaliland as an independent African State. Somaliland (unrecognized) is situated in the northwest of recognized Somalia. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. In 1991 Somaliland, now with approximately 5.7 million, broke away from Somalia. Since…
Russia takes over the rotating chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) from January 2024. It has already planned a comprehensive range of activities including in politics, security, economy, culture, education and sports, and to tackle outstanding pertinent questions adopted at the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Russia plans to explore innovative ideas that would further the goals of BRICS especially in the changing geopolitical world. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with RIA Novosti and Rossiya 24 TV on current foreign policy issues on December 28 re-emphasized Russia’s BRICS chairmanship has a global dimension,…
As Russia prepares to hold the next presidential elections on March 15 to 17, and the date was accordingly approved by Federation Council and the State Duma, the twisting political landscape offers the assurance that President Vladimir Putin will inarguably be the winner. On December 8, Putin announced plans to run for president in 2024, as he decorated servicemen with Hero of Russia awards. By law, the upper house of the Russian parliament schedules the presidential election no earlier than 100 days and no later than 90 days before the voting date. The Federation Council, the upper chamber of legislators,…
On December 11, a grand ceremony of the “Honest View” media award for foreign journalists and bloggers, established by Rossotrudnichestvo in 2022, was held in Moscow. The shortlist of the international Rossotrudnichestvo award “The Honest View Media Award” included 30 foreign authors of articles devoted to objective and comprehensive coverage abroad of projects with Russian participation and the development of international cooperation. In total, this year the organizing committee reviewed more than 250 works from 51 countries. This is twice as much as last year. Following the call for nominations which ended recently and attracted submissions from a number of…
Interview by Kestér Kenn Klomegâh The Russian Energy Week International Forum is a key global platform for discussing current trends in the development of modern energy sector. This event is traditionally held at the highest level, featuring the participation of leaders from the largest companies in the energy industry. In 2023, the forum attracted over 3,000 participants from more than 80 foreign countries. On the sidelines of the forum, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the South Africa based African Energy Chamber, acknowledged in an exclusive interview that Africa is developing as the fastest growing energy market in the world. That…
Learning Russian language is hitting magnificent roadblocks among Africans. For these several years after Soviet’s collapse, Moscow has been stepping up efforts to strengthen Russian language studies and its culture across Africa. But there have been little tangible results largely due to low motivation towards the language, its usefulness is blurry compared to foreign languages including English language and now Chinese. In fact, Africa’s potential is obvious to everyone. Russia hopes to normalize cultural relations but has been hampered by multiple challenges. The Kremlin leadership, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NGOs including Russkiy Mir Foundation, created for supporting the…
Global leaders struggle to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict which began October 7. United Nations has held series of meetings, expressed concern over the humanitarian catastrophe that unfolded in the region. Israel has outright been accused of war crimes and “genocide” in the Palestinian territory. These followed Russia’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine late February 2022, with similar consequences – killing of thousands of civilians including children, many more thousands were displaced and destruction of infrastructure. In both cases, Russia-Ukraine and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, BRICS – a group of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa –…
Long before South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired a video summit with BRICS leaders (Brazil, Russia, India and China) with participation of new members on November 21 to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict, there have been some differences in perceptions and approaches among them, so it was not surprising that the BRICS bloc did not agree on issuing a joint declaration. Last August when BRICS held its 15th summit, South Africa’s position was entirely different on the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. But today, South Africa has vehemently called for an arrest warrant to be issued, without further…
Russia, the largest country in the world by area, has a population of 147.2 million, according to the population census. In the 2021, the census, roughly 81% of the population were ethnic Russians, 19% of the population were ethnic minorities. Demographers say Russia has become increasingly reliant on immigration to maintain its population. Russia’s population is increasingly decreasing since the start of its invasion into neighboring Ukraine late February 2022. The demographic crisis has deepened primarily due to high military fatalities while simultaneously facing renewed brain drain and human capital flight caused by Western mass-sanctions imposed on the country. In…
It started only few years ago, the unexpected speed of Russia’s return journey to Africa. Russia commenced deepening ties with African countries following sanctions imposed on it by the United States and Europe in 2014. It has, with the toughest speed, been dealing with French neocolonialism on the continent – from Central African Republic and has moved to West Africa. Under its armpit are Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Niger. Due to the geopolitical dynamics, Russia is further penetrating beyond the Sahel into Senegal on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Senegal is notably the westernmost country in the mainland…
In this insightful interview, Kestér Kenn Klomegâh this November talked at considerable length with Dr. Israel Nyaburi Nyadera, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Egerton University in the Republic of Kenya and Expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, over aspects of the current geopolitical changes in relation with Africa, and the existing relationship between Russia and Africa. Here are the interview excerpts: What are the implications when Russia is looking for its Soviet-era allies and “non-Western friends” support for creating a new world order? Is the world being partitioned similar to East-West, during the Soviet days? Efforts…
It was March 20, at the inter-parliamentary congress Russia-Africa. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to make ‘no-cost delivery’ of grains to six African countries. This promised was renewed at the late July Russia-Africa summit held St. Petersburg. Local Russian media picked up this to feed the public that Russia is supplying free grains to entire Africa. Too much political propaganda. Africa is not a country. Africa is a continent consisting 54 independent states. And yet Russia could not supply after several months have passed, shifting blames to Western and European sanctions. The latest information emerging indicates Russia was ready to…
The African continent is one of the fastest growing energy markets in the world. This is due to the growing economic and demographic potential of African countries, as well as the efforts of many of them to combat climate change. Despite having passed through a long period of tumultuous post-colonial era, Africa’s efforts on ensuring effective energy cooperation with leading global powers has not been an easy journey down the years. Until today, more than half on the estimated 1.4 billion still have no access to electric power for domestic utilization while industries continue suffering from frequent power outrages (interruptions),…
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Equatorial Guinean President President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who came on an official working visit to Moscow. The visit could be characterized as historic, and interpreted as one major step to broadly review the political situation in the central African region, and specifically assess the prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation between Russia and Equatorial Guinea. As the current rotating Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the regional economic bloc uniting Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Principe,…
South Africa prepares to host the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) forum to review critical challenges and obstacles adversely impacting on trade opportunities and economic cooperation between the United States and Africa. The United States first introduced the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 2000. It is the 20th AGOA forum scheduled from November 2 to 4 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The AGOA Trade and Economic Cooperation forum seeks to expand and deepen trade and investment relationships between the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa. It also encourages regional integration and further reaffirms Africa’s position as a capable economic partner…
The World Bank has approved $1 billion loan to support South Africa’s energy sector which is currently experiencing the worse conditions including inadequate funds for overhauling, renovation and upgrading. Energy experts believe that the World Bank’s loan, seems the last resort, would pull South Africa out of its persistent energy crisis that has adversely hit domestic supply and industrial production. The energy problem has forced the country to lean on its highly polluting coal-fired power stations and consistent difficulties of generating enough electricity for its 62 million people. The state-run power utility, Eskom, generates approximately 80% of the country’s electricity…
The 17th Toronto Global Forum was held under the theme ‘Fostering Economic Resilience’ from 11-13 October 2023 in Toronto Canada. According to reports, the forum gathered over 170 speakers and more than 3000 attendees from all over the world. The central themes at the Toronto Global Forum revolved around the following pillars: Global Economy, Infrastructure, Finance, Innovation, Energy and Sustainable Development. Through its ability to foster connections and collaboration, the Toronto Global Forum stands as an exceptional and distinctive platform bringing together decision makers from all spheres of society to tackle the most pressing issues of the changing times. From…
It all began in March 2023 with an ear-deafening applause during the inter-parliamentary conference under the theme ‘Russia-Africa in a Multipolar World’ that was held in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered what was referred to as ‘no-cost deliveries’ of grains to six African countries. This unique promise was consolidated and renewed during the second Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg. Russian media, with its highest public oriented reports and propaganda narratives, keeps on informing its public that Russia feeds Africa and its 1.4 billion population. Under the auspices of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly on March…
Russia’s decision to seek fresh membership position in the prestigious U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) primarily portrays a crucial challenge whether it would, this time, observe fundamental human rights stipulated by the United Nations Charter after Moscow’s isolation over its February 2022 invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. The UNHRC maintains that Russia has abused Ukraine’s right to independence and sovereignty, and its territorial integrity. While Russia has a reasonable chance of getting voted back onto the U.N. Human Rights Council, it simultaneously offers Western-allied members to keep taps on Russia to strictly observe human rights when dealing with external states around…
After successfully launching the grandiose highway project referred to as ‘Abidjan-Lagos Corridor’ back in 2017, the five West African States – Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria – are still reviewing mechanisms for its implementation. Series of high-level meetings have discussed the project’s legal framework and its feasibility. The detailed design studies have been completed and scope of financing determined. The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, the six-lane dual carriage highway, is estimated at US$15.1 billion. The corridor is approximately 1,080 km long. It will connect some of the largest and most economically dynamic cities Abidjan, Accra, Cotonou, Lomé and Lagos while…
Ultimately Russia has returned to Africa, this time not with ‘business as usual’ and rhetorics, but doubled actions to invigorate its relations after holding Sochi and St. Petersburg summits. As sealed in the summit declarations, both Russia and African states have reaffirmed to heighten bilateral contacts as a primary mechanism for raising multifaceted relations unto a more quantitative stage. Notwithstanding its own geopolitical complexities, including stringent sanctions hitting the economy, generating social discontent and Russia-Ukraine crisis at home, Kremlin authorities are still looking to build up admirable relations with Africa. It is a fact that Africa undoubtedly has huge potential,…
At least majority of African leaders are calling for complete overhaul of multinational financial system to enable them pursue their development goals across Africa. Further to their scathing remarks on negative impact inflicted by imperialism, neocolonialism and western hegemony struck a serious chord during their invaluable speeches delivered at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. But in critical assessment and careful analysis of developments for the past decades, Africa’s poor development could be attributed to several reasons which African leaders have realized but grossly failed to address in the continent. African leaders provided diverse perspectives on the state…
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…
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…
