As Russia prepares to strengthen its overall
corporate economic profile during the African leaders’ summit, policy experts
are questioning bilateral agreements that were signed, many of them largely
remained unimplemented, at least, for the past decade with various African
countries.
Experts, such as Professors Vladimir Shubin and Alexandra Arkhangelskaya,
Institute for African Studies in Moscow, have argued that Russia needs to be
more strategic in aligning its interests, and be more proactive with
instruments and mechanisms in promoting economic cooperation in order to reap
the benefits of a fully-fledged partnership.
“The most significant positive sign is that Russia has moved away from its
low-key strategy to vigorous relations, and authorities are seriously showing
readiness to compete with other foreign players. But, Russia needs to find a
strategy that really reflects the practical interests of Russian business and
African development needs,” said Arkhangelskaya, who is also a Senior
Lecturer at the Moscow High School of Economics.
Currently, the signs for Russian-African relations are impressive –
declarations of intentions have been made, important bilateral agreements
signed – now it remains to be seen how these intentions and agreements entered
into previously will be implemented in practice, she pointed out in the
interview.
The revival of Russia-African relations have to be enhanced in all fields.
Obstacles to the broadening of Russian-Africa relations have to be addressed
more vigorously. These include, in particular, the lack of knowledge or
information in Russia about the situation in Africa, and vice versa, suggested
Arkhangelskaya.
In his opinion, Professor Shubin, Deputy Director of the Institute for African
Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, reiterated: “Russia is not
doing enough to communicate to the broad public, particularly in Africa, true
information about its domestic and foreign policies as well as the
accomplishments of Russian culture, the economy, science and technology in
order to form a positive perception of Russia abroad and a friendly attitude
towards it as stated by the new Concept of the Foreign Policy.
Fyodor Lukyanov, Chairman of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and
Defense Policy, Research Director at the Valdai International Discussion Club
and Editor-in-Chief of the Russia in Global Affairs journal – the most
authoritative source of expertize on Russian foreign policy and global
developments – has acknowledged that Chinese strategy in Africa is about to get
access to resources, vitally important for Chinese development. To achieve
this, Beijing use all leverage, including soft power, technical and economic
assistance, political support to leaders of African countries (be it Zimbabwe’s
Mugabe or Sudan’s Bashir).
“Russia has not similar need to gain African resources, so there is no
motivation to develop such a comprehensive approach. We can identify many
aspects of Chinese experience which would be useful to learn, but looking
realistically I don’t think Russia will ever do it,” Lukyanov wrote in an
emailed interview.
The media and NGOs should make big efforts to increase the level of mutual
knowledge, which can stimulate interest for each other and lead to increased
economic interaction as well, he suggested and added that “soft power has
never been a strong side of Russian policy in the post-Soviet era.”
London based Business Consultant and Director, Irina Awote, explained in an
emailed interview that increasingly, the African continent is witnessing a
surge in the number of infrastructure and investment deals requiring a
combination of both internal and external financing, increased capital for
expansion. And indeed, she says Russia has to demonstrate its preparedness for
all these.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia primarily focused on building
and strengthening its internal economy, she explained. Awote, however,
added “today, the Russian economy and Russian industries have come a long
way since the Soviet collapse – the Russian economy is a lot stronger than in
the first two decades following the Soviet collapse, at the same time many
Russian enterprises have since evolved and developed, many through partnerships
with international organizations.”
As such, there has been, for a long time, interest from Russia to revive its
old economic ties with Africa. Russia and Russian enterprises are in a much
stronger position to capitalize on this opportunity than a few decades ago. At
the same time, not ignoring the fact that the continued economic sanctions
imposed by the West, has made Russia reinforce its strategic partnerships with
other regions, and especially Africa where they have had good historical ties
from the Soviet era, according Irina Awote.
Late July, Bogdanov held talks with the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc
Christian Kaboré and further discussed about military-technical cooperation
while meeting with the Minister of National Defense and Veteran Affairs,
Moumina Sheriff Sy, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of Burkina Faso, Alpha Barry, and Vice-President of the National Assembly of
Burkina Faso, K. Traore.
Reports indicated that Moscow and Ouagadougou had agreed to further develop the
entire range of relations including deepening the political dialogue, expanding
trade and economic cooperation, promoting promising mutually beneficial
projects, strengthening partnerships in the areas of developing mineral
resources, energy, transport and agriculture.
Working with Sierra Leone has been on the table for years. Quite recently,
Bogdanov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
of the Republic of Sierra Leone Solomon Jamiru also held diplomatic talks,
rounded up the discussion on fishing ventures, military-technical cooperation
and the forthcoming Russia-Africa Summit.
On Aug 1, while attending the official inauguration of the new leader in
Mauritania, Bogdanov used the opportunity to discuss about current relations
with President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. The President of Mauritania elected on
June 22, 2019. Both agreed on possible ways for strengthening aspects the
existing relations. An official report says the common interest of Moscow and
Nouakchott is giving additional dynamics to the development of mutually
beneficial cooperation in various fields, primarily in the field of marine
fishing and the development of natural resources, as well as the personnel training
in Russia.
Over the past two to three months, Bogdanov has met with nearly all African
ambassadors accredited in the Russian Federation. The key issue here is to
explore opportunities for expected stronger collaboration and dialogue them on
African leaders’ and business people’s participation in the upcoming Sochi
Summit.
According to the official information posted to the ministry’s website,
Minister Bogdanov during these high-level meetings described 2019 as a
momentous year for Russian-African relations, and the culmination of all
activities would see the first full-format Summit and Economic Forum, on the
sidelines of which a number of new bilateral and multilateral agreements are
expected to be signed.
About 35 leaders of African countries have officially confirmed their
participation in the Russia-Africa Summit, according to Bogdanov. “Almost
all of them want to come. About 35 leaders have officially confirmed their
participation. I believe at least 40 leaders will come. We do feel our partners’
commitment and their keen interest.”
Since his appointment in 2004, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has distinctively
done a lot for Africa. Speaking in an exclusive interview as far back on
October 21, 2011, (simultaneously with the Voice of Russia, the Echo of Moscow
and the Radio of Russia) Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed listeners that
“the main thing is to develop mutual economic ties, something that is yet
to be implemented as far as our relations with African nations are concerned.”
Now, the situation is gradually changing. The Russia-Africa summit will be the
first in a series of activities under the aegis and direction of the Russian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Energy, the Russian
Ministry of Economic Development, as well as legislative bodies and public
organizations. During the past decades, a number of foreign countries notably
China, the United States, European Union, India, France, Turkey, Japan, and
South Korea have held such gatherings in that format.
This first Russia-Africa summit is expected to enhance mutual multifaceted
ties, reshape diplomatic relationships and significantly rollout ways to
increase effectiveness of cooperation between Russia and Africa. The idea to
hold a Russia-Africa forum first initiated by President Vladimir Putin at the
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in Johannesburg in
July 2018.
