As the war between Russia and Ukraine continues to drag on, President Putin has made Africa the centre piece of his foreign policy having suffered from series of sanctions from the West, and even those considered to share same views with him on the war, whether directly or indirectly have been sanctioned. It was an earlier weapon used by the West to fight Russia, having played its own role, it was not enough to deter them. As Russia is losing foothold in Europe, Putin has turned to Africa for survival and relevancy hence Russia-Africa summit, and the West won’t be sleeping with two eyes closed, as Africa can be proved to be the missing link to save Putin politically and economically.
Putin’s agenda for Africa is far from bromance, it is a case of favour for a favour, and nothing is given without taken. Russia-Africa summit held in St Petersburg, themed “for peace, security and development” underscores the start of the alliance which is not all rosy for African nations, Russia has not been such a great friend of the continent, the sudden shift of alliance, Africa should thread with caution. Mr. Putin has been issued warrant of arrest from ICC, earlier, he boycotted BRICS [Brazil, India, China, South Africa] an economic alliance made up by these countries, when he made an effort to attend the BRICS meeting held in South Africa, they are made to known that once Putin lands in their soil, they will hand him over to ICC which they are signatory to, failure to do so, will be direct violation of international law, although the incident never happened.
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On February 2022, Russia launched a full blown war in Ukraine, having illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. While Russia international isolation continues to linger, they have turned to Africa, African leaders should be careful enough not in any way to endorse Russia assault in Ukraine, while democracy and human rights have continued to suffer in Africa, Russia is not such a great friend to keep around. At the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, President Putin said, he wants to see African Union (AU) become full member of the G20 club of nations, hoping it will be made as early as September.
President Putin has assured free grain to six African countries in the next few months, having withdrawn from UN-brokered deal to allow safe passage for grain shipment from Ukraine’s southern ports, and eventually to Africa. Mr. Putin has gifted helicopter to Zimbabwe counterpart, having maintained long-standing ties with Russia, from the time of liberation against white-minority rule.
At the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, Russia has indicated an intention to revive direct investment model for which it is known for under the Soviet Union in a bid to help third world economies. The sectors spread from petroleum refineries, iron and steel industries, industrial machinery manufacturing, ICT and Artificial Intelligence (AI). While these offers are attractive, only Africa with right leaders can truly drive its development and regulate its policies amongst the continent, African leaders hold the key to unlock the continent’s potentials they don’t need the West or Russia to do it for them.
