Africa (Commonwealth) _ As part of its plan to improve relations with Africa, Russia has declared the creation of a Department for Partnership with Africa.
In keeping with its larger foreign policy shift towards the Global South as it grows more isolated from the West in the wake of the Russia – Ukraine war in February 2022, the action represents another step in Moscow’s pivot towards Africa.
The department was established in Moscow by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who admitted previous mistakes and blamed Russia’s decreased involvement in Africa on post-Soviet budgetary limitations and an early pro-Western stance, describing it as a “strategic error” that has now been fixed.
Lavrov emphasized Russia’s historical connections to Africa by bringing up the Soviet Union’s backing of anti-colonial forces. He established Russia as a dependable partner that supports Africa’s interests globally, including its bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
According to him, Russia continuously supports bolstering Africa’s standing in the multipolar world that is observably developing. The UN Charter’s tenets, in their entirety and in relation to one another, must constitute the constant foundation of this world.
By 2024, bilateral commerce between Moscow and Africa is expected to exceed $25 billion. Lavrov did, however, admit that commerce is still below its potential and urged more funding for digital technologies, energy, transportation, and nuclear cooperation.
Additionally, he revealed intentions to increase Russia’s diplomatic presence, announcing the opening of new embassies in South Sudan, Gambia, Liberia, Niger, Togo, and Sierra Leone.
and the Comoros.
Through multilateral organizations like the African Union and BRICS—an interstate alliance made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa until January 1, 2024, when Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined—the new department will be in charge of Russia’s Africa policy.
At the formal opening of Russia’s newly created Department for Partnership with Africa on Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Africa is a natural ally in ensuring that the values of justice and equality are respected globally.
At the event, which included attendance by heads of African diplomatic missions accredited in Moscow, ambassadors from other nations, representatives of the federal executive authorities of the Russian Federation, business circles, related public and research organizations, and media outlets, Lavrov declared that Russia “returns” to Africa.
The minister explained that Moscow has reasons from its history for limiting foreign spending to manage its economy, a practice dating back to the Soviet Union. He believes that Africa is a good partner in working together to promote justice and equality in the world, as outlined in the UN Charter.
The objective financial situation of the Soviet Union and its successor independent entities, such as the Russian Federation, is one of them. There was no hope at all. “To save money for foreign policy, we had to close our embassies,” he said.
The minister added that the political forces that governed the newly established Russia had a pro-Western stance.
To the Russian Federation’s leadership, everything else was irrelevant, and the doors of ‘Western culture’ were open for it. It was a tactical error. Even at the state level, everyone now acknowledges this. I promise that the current Russian leadership and the Russian people have learned a valuable lesson from it.
A photo documentary exhibition that focused on the development of the African dimension at the Foreign Ministry and this nation’s cooperation with African states, both historically and currently, was unveiled as part of the presentation. The exhibition was based on materials from the Foreign Ministry archives and Russian news agencies.
