2023-07-28 16:49:06
After two days of meetings and encounters, the summit between Russia and Africa in Saint-Petersburg in Russia ends this Friday evening (28.07.23). The summit was initiated by Vladimir Putin with the aim of strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with African countries. 49 delegations out of the 54 countries on the continent were present yesterday and today.
We must first remember the announcements concerning the military cooperation: More than 40 countries on the continent now have agreements with Moscow. Without giving precise figures on their extent, Russia even promises partly free deliveries of arms and military technologies.
An international arrest warrant from the ICC is running against Vladimir PutinImage: Alexei Danichev/REUTERS
An alliance against the West
Moscow also wants to strengthen its staff in embassies and consulates across the continent. Vladimir Putin is playing diplomacy, saying he is “studying carefully” African initiatives to end the conflict in Ukraine. Something to flatter the delegations present. All of this has one particular goal: to form an alliance against the West. Besides, Vladimir Putin talked about helping countries to “to free oneself from the vestiges of colonialism”.
Not enough to make all the worries disappear. African heads of state fear the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.
Free grain deliveries
“We once again make an urgent appeal for the restoration of peace in Europe.”, said the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, on the occasion of the summit. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his part insisted on the revival of the agreement on cereals from the Black Sea. The latter was suspended last week and could lead to price increases. To allay concerns, Vladimir Putin announced free deliveries of 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of cereals for six countries in Africa, including Burkina Faso, DRC and Mali.
The Black Sea grain deal was suspended last week. Picture: dpa/Ukrinform/picture alliance
Also announced to want to extend its commercial relations and economic with the mainland. It remains to be seen whether the promises will be kept. During the last summit in 2019, the Russian president had already promised to double the volume of trade between Russia and Africa. This had only increased by 7% last year.
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