Browsing: Russia – Africa Relations

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says chaos in Africa’s Sahel leaves the area vulnerable to terrorism.
• Von der Leyen says the situation in the Sahel directly impacts Europe’s security and prosperity.
• The Sahel region has experienced eight coups across six nations, from Guinea to Sudan, in the last three years.

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pointed an accusing finger at Russia for orchestrating the roiling chaos gripping Africa’s Sahel region.

In her annual speech to the European Parliament in Brussels today, she noted that military coups currently plaguing Africa’s Sahel region have been a destabilizing factor, increasing the zone’s vulnerability to terrorism.

Von der Leyen made it clear that the European Union must significantly enhance its engagement with African countries, as the situation in the Sahel directly impacts Europe’s security and prosperity.

“We need to show the same unity of purpose towards Africa …

• Egypt and Ethiopia will join BRICS alongside Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina starting January 1st, 2024.
• This takes membership into the bloc to three countries across the continent after South Africa.
• With the inclusion of Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, three major oil-producing nations globally will become part of the bloc.

Egypt and Ethiopia alongside oil-rich Saudi Arabia, Iran and Argentina have received an invite to join the BRICS bloc, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2009. The momentous shift could reshape the global economic landscape and will take effect 1st January 2024.

Notably, this expansion comes at a time when geopolitical tensions between the West and the East have been escalating. In particular, the inclusion of Iran and Saudi Arabia in the BRICS bloc indicates a strengthening of the China-Russia-led coalition that could challenge the influence of Western powers.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who …

• Patrice Lumumba was a spokesman in the struggle for progress in Africa in the early years of African independence.
• Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) is one of best universities in Russia.
• During Sputnik’s dialogue on Russia-Africa cooperation speakers focuses on training highly qualified personnel.

Sputnik International Multimedia Press Center in Moscow hosted a roundtable discussion on Russia-Africa: Media Cooperation and Media Sovereignty.

Sergei Kochetkov, the first deputy editor-in-chief of the Rossiya Segodnya International Media Group, took part in the conversation. Oleg Ozerov, Head of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat and Ambassador-at-Large for the Russian Foreign Ministry, was also present. Additionally present was Svetlana Kukava, an observer for the global TV BRICS network.

Dialogue on improving Russia-Africa training

Najesh Missaoui, director general of the TAP News Agency (Tunisia), Roland Lumumba, president of the Patrice Lumumba Foundation and son of Patrice Lumumba, a national hero of the Democratic Republic …

Africa is a busy geopolitical arena, with many players operating.
Russia has to compete against them, and distinctively remain focused its efforts. Russia welcomes diplomatic support from African countries, and unlike the West, it does not demand good governance or advocate for human rights reforms.
Russia likes to portray itself as not interfering in local politics or judging African countries, even though there is mounting evidence that it has been involved in meddling in elections in Africa through disinformation, fake news and attempting to exploit fault lines in societies through social media.…

Senior policy experts have advised Russia to make its Africa policy a derivative of the country’s overall foreign policy objectives taking into account the continent’s human capital and natural resources.

The ‘Situation Analytical Report’, as it is titled, was prepared by 25 policy experts, as part of a programme sponsored by the Russian Foreign Ministry. It was headed by Sergei A. Karaganov, Dean and Academic Supervisor of the Faculty of World Economy and International Relations of the National Research University’s Higher School of Economics (HSE University). Karaganov is also the Honorary Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy.

With its about 1.3 billion people, Africa is a potential market for all kinds of consumable goods and for services. In the coming decades, there will be an accelerated competition between or among the external players over access to the resources and for economic influence in Africa.…

Rwanda’s Cabinet approved an agreement with Russia to advance the use of nuclear energy for “peaceful purposes.”

This agreement is expected to bolster relations between the two countries and advance Russia’s interests in the region.

In December last year, the two countries first signed the nuclear energy deal in Moscow which was to see Russian scientists set up a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology in Kigali.

In May early this year, Rosatom Global a Russian government nuclear parastatal reached an agreement to set up the nuclear plant by 2024. The Russian government says it will help in the advancement of technology in agriculture, energy production and environmental protection in Rwanda.

A Russian press reported that in June, Rwanda started negotiations to purchase Russian missile defence systems and signed agreements to develop a military simulation and training centre in Kigali.

Also Read: Russia and Uganda sign nuclear deal

The deal …