Russia Extends ‘Total Support’ Offer to African Countries

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered what he termed “total support” for Africa, including assistance in the fight against terrorism and extremism. This address was delivered by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to his African counterparts at a summit held in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Several African governments have severed ties with traditional Western allies and are now seeking Moscow’s aid in confronting frequent jihadist attacks. During the summit, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré stated that Russia was a more suitable international partner than France, the former colonial power. This perspective is shared by several of France’s former colonies and was reiterated by Mali’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop, who contrasted the Kremlin’s “sincere” partnership with the “neo-colonial” relationship offered by Western powers. He indicated that in addition to military cooperation, Mali was exploring other joint projects in the energy, telecommunications, technology, and mining sectors. “Russian companies are working in all these areas with the Malian government and [private] partners in Mali to provide solutions to the challenges facing the Malian people. The two parties have agreed to step up the pace to ensure rapid results,” he said on the second and final day of the conference of African foreign ministers. Wagner mercenary fighters, now operating under the Africa Corps banner by Russia’s defence ministry, were the preferred choice for the military leaders who ordered French and UN troops to leave. Russia’s assistance, often provided in exchange for access to raw materials, also includes a promise of no interference in a country’s internal affairs or lessons on how to conduct an election. However, Russia’s military expeditions to Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have helped protect the junta leaders there, but have shown limited progress in the fight against Islamist militants. Nonetheless, the Kremlin is highlighting these new-found alliances, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that the conference had dashed Western hopes for Russia’s isolation. Furthermore, Lavrov remarked that Russia’s relations with Africa were strengthening “more and more,” demonstrating progress “on all axes.” Putin’s speech underscored this point. “I would like to reiterate that our country will continue to provide total support to our African friends in different sectors: ensuring sustainable development, the struggle against terrorism and extremism, combating epidemics, food problems and the consequences of natural disasters,” it declared. Emanuela Del Re, the EU special representative for West Africa’s Sahel region, informed the BBC that Western nations needed to accept the evolving nature of allegiances. While Russia was “certainly a very malicious actor,” the Italian diplomat clarified that it maintained a strong bond with Africa dating back to before independence and was not alone in its interest in the Sahel. “It’s largely a desert but in reality the region is very crowded: because at the moment you see Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran… all member states of the EU and the UK,” she commented. Indeed, African leaders demonstrated pragmatism regarding their necessity to “diversify their partnerships,” Ms Del Re noted, adding that it was not the time for the EU to abandon what she called the “three difficult countries” of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all of which have experienced coups in recent years. Her assertion was that the situation ought not to be perceived as a competition. Rwanda, a nation with strong ties to the UK and the West, is among several African countries that have already signed agreements with Moscow for assistance in constructing a nuclear power plant. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, also present in Sochi, informed the AFP news agency that hundreds of Rwandan students had graduated from Russian universities, including “those who specialise in nuclear science.” “We hope to be able to train a certain number of scientific managers specialising in this field,” he further stated. Five years prior, Putin pledged to double trade with Africa; however, this objective has not been achieved. Nevertheless, through alternative methods, which Western nations view as destabilizing the continent, Russia’s influence has expanded considerably.