Angola, Mozambique and Nigeria plan to discuss comprehensive ways on catalyzing opportunities in Africa’s key growth markets at the upcoming energy forum scheduled for mid-May in Paris, France. Reports monitored by this author indicate these African countries’ officials have already expressed readiness to use the two days for networking and intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, corporate investors and policymakers. Designed and titled as Invest in African Energy (IAE), the organizers explained that platform is an exclusive forum to be coordinated for facilitating investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 14-15, 2024 in Paris, the…
Author: Kestér Kenn Klomegâh
Tension between China and India threatens to paralyse BRICS – the association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. While struggling to expand and make influence on the global stage, China and India have locked horns over issues in their bilateral relations, ranging from border security to trade conflicts and information war. The latest strains began in early May and culminated in hand-to-hand fighting in the Galwan Valley, a remote stretch of the 3,380-kilometre (2,100-mile) Line of Actual Control – the border established following a war between India and China in 1962 that resulted…
Leaders of the European Union strengthened bilateral economic partnership with Zimbabwe during the latest special high-profile EU Private Sector Dialogue held in early April 2024 in the capital Harare, shedding light on key diverse opportunities for trade and investment between Zimbabwe and the EU. The economic and investment projects comprehensively discussed during the meetings are important for Zimbabwe, as the government seriously intends to continue participating in them and ultimately to change the economic dynamics. Zimbabwe, situated in the southern Africa region, consistently seeks to resuscitate its economic sectors that have come under the United States stringent sanctions and Russia’s…
BRICS, an informal association comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa together with its five new members, during a special meeting with the heads of BRICS parliamentary committees on international affairs, have outlined some details about the forthcoming BRICS Summer Games which aims at establishing traditional interactive attitudes especially among the youth of its members. The 2024 BRICS Summer Games will be held in Kazan, capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, June 12-23 and will feature various events in 25 different sports. Deputy Head for Social Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan Guzel Sagitova informed that as many as…
South Africa undoubtedly boasts its power and integrity on global stage. South Africa is known as the first economic power in Africa and as a staunch member of many international organizations. It maintains significant regional influence and is a member of the African Union, the Commonwealth of Nations, the BRICS and the G20. With an estimated 62 million (as of 2023) people of diverse cultural origin, South Africa’s economy is sustained by both local and foreign businesses. Today, it has to struggle with power outages, unsuccessful in meeting both domestic and industrial power requirements in the country. Unlike most of…
Kenya’s President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, during the first week of April 2024, visited the Republic of Ghana located in West Africa purposefully looking to deepen high-profile diplomatic ties, but beyond that championed very significant questions such as (i) narratives over the neo-colonial exploitation of the continent resources, (ii) African integration and its economic status, (iii) the election of next African Union Commission chairperson, (iv) the integration of technology into the trade strategy of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and finally (v) women’s empowerment within the context of emerging multipolar developments. (i) Narratives over neo-colonial exploitation of the…
Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has engaged in game-changing strategy, widening the search for reliable partner ready to explore its oil reserves, undoubtedly due to Russia’s inability to fulfill bilateral promises and delay in acting on its limitless signed agreements. Russia’s Vladimir Putin held an official meeting with Sassou-Nguesso, in Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow during which both leaders assertively agreed on strengthening economic cooperation. Several packages of documents that were signed that year included intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and also on exploration of natural resources. Russia’s Pipe Metallurgical Company (TMK) was awarded the sole contract…
In this insightful interview, Professor Sergiu Mișcoiu at the Faculty of European Studies, Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (Romania), where he serves as a Director of the Centre for International Cooperation and as Director of the Centre for African Studies, discusses the political situation in the French-speaking West African countries, the existing multiple challenges and Russia’s diplomacy within the context of current geopolitical changes and the scramble for influence in Africa. Here are the interview excerpts: To begin with, what are your arguments that Russia supports military coup makers (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger et cetera) in Africa? The logic behind backing…
Senegalese leader, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has made an unexpected committment with sincerity to tackle deep-seated corruption in his first inspiring speech to the nation. Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s well-coined linguistic phrases focusing on de-colonization, pursuing sustainable development and creating corruption-free society has already won the hearts of the estimated 18 million Senegalese, African leaders and the world. As a political newcomer popular among the youth, Bassirou Diomaye Faye unreservedly promised to govern with humility and transparency. And most importantly, without mincing words, emphasized fighting deep-seated corruption and graft in Senegal, reputed as one of most stable democracies, at least, in West…
In his first trip as Namibia’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Peya Mushelenga held diplomatic talks with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on March 26 in Moscow. The significance of this official visit was noted to have a special meaning in what Namibia thinks about developing its partnership with Russia. Mushelenga as the head of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, co-chaired a meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Trutnev, reviewed performance and discussed challenges and the way forward in the bilateral relations between Russia and Namibia. During the media conference, not much was said about concrete…
Russia has now started calling for combined strategic partnership and international efforts to drastically address the complexities of rising insecurity and adopting a multilateral military force for countering terrorism in Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. An official statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry called for finding common solutions and that peace can only be achieved through international efforts in the Sahara Sahel region. Burkina Faso has had several military coup d’états, the latest took place in Jan. 2022. Mali (May 24, 2021) and Niger (July 26, 2023) witnessed similar political trends, and both now under military administrations…
Interview by Kestér Kenn Klomegâh Within the current geopolitical changes, Africa is experiencing sharp disintegration characterized by differences in political systems, economic structures and cultural norms in member countries. Unfortunately, military takeovers have become a distinctive feature (or accepted form) of regime change, particularly in West Africa. For instance, the Africa Governance Report 2023 focuses on unconstitutional changes of government in Africa. The 35th Ordinary Session of African leaders summit, held in February 2022, urged leaders to deploy concerted efforts in promoting democracy and good governance including upholding term limits, as per their respective constitutions. The Accra Forum II also…
After three days (March 15 to 17) of voting, Vladimir Putin is leading the Russian presidential election with 87.34% after 98% of ballots were counted, according to data of the Russian Central Elections Commission. It gives Putin another six-year term (2024-2030) to lead Russia. The second is State Duma member from the Communist Party Nikolai Kharitonov with 4.3% of votes. State Duma deputy speaker, member of the New People party Vladislav Davankov is the third with 3.8%. Leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia Leonid Slutsky is the fourth with 3.17% of votes. In an address before the election,…
Over the years, Russia and the Republic of Congo have had good bilateral relations and, undoubtedly, there are still prospects for strengthening these relations especially in the economy and security spheres as underlined during the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Denis Sassou-Nguesso in the Kremlin. “Our countries have always had friendly relations that have been developing this way for 55 years now. Our trade is growing – by over 60 percent – although, unfortunately, the numbers in absolute terms are still modest. But, we have good potential in several industries, such as energy, the processing industry and agriculture,” Putin said,…
Nigeria is considered an economic power in West Africa, and it runs in the third position behind Egypt and South Africa. While expert opinions suggested it qualifies to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), an association of emerging economies that primarily seeks to promote economic cooperation and development among its members, Nigeria maintains that it can only make such a decision over the next two years. Last August, 2023, BRICS admitted six new members Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates into its fold at its 15th annual summit in South Africa. But however,…
After several weeks of civil mass protests across the country against incumbent President Macky Sall who took a decision to postpone presidential election originally scheduled for February 25. Now Senegal will finally return to the legitimate democratic polls with 19 candidates participating for the first round. It has been fixed on March 24 after series of condemnations from regional and continental blocs, and far-stretched accusations of attempts to violate the election provisions of the constitution by Macky Sall. Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, saluted the peaceful resolution of the institutional crisis in Senegal. He has urged…
On March 6, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who visited Moscow on an official two-day working visit. The early March visit, which has a lot of implications and interpretations, was a conscious follow up to review and discuss the Russian-Nigerian partnership issues that were raised long ago and during the second Russia-Africa summit held last July 2023. The second Russia-Africa Summit took place in St Petersburg, and Vice President Kashim Shettima headed the Nigerian delegation. Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar was among the members. Nigeria…
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has offered an increased military partnership during the latest bilateral talks held Feb. 28, 2024, with his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop in Moscow. The significance of Russian support is directed at fighting terrorism, and in enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Malian army and law enforcement agencies, including the training of soldiers and police officers The interim military government has maintained a well-developed a multifaceted nature of bilateral relations with Russia since the military ascended unto the political power. Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Mali’s Interim President Assimi Goita on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa…
Until sustainable food security is established through modernizing agriculture and ensuring adequate support for local farmers, Russia’s grain supply would be as a soft bait (i) to reinforce the existing time-tested relationships with Africa and (ii) to solicit endorsement for the unprovoked war in Ukraine. In a speech delivered, 20th March 2023, during the interparliamentary conference ‘Russia-Africa’ held in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin described six African countries as the least developed and poorest in the world that are urgently in need grains, alternatively referred to as humanitarian aid, to feed its population. The beneficiary African countries – Burkina Faso, Central…
In practical terms, the indisputable geopolitical changes and the restructuring of global power architecture have significant impact on Russia’s military influence in Saharan-Sahel region, an elongated landlocked territory located between North Africa (Maghreb) and West Africa, and also stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. Almost all West African countries face a kind of multilayered crisis. But, the G5 Sahel group was established in February 2014 to maintain security in the western part of the Sahel region and coordinate a joint armed forces to fight against growing terrorism. Quite recently, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn from…
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin surprised the world on February 24, 2022 by unreservedly launching a full-scale ‘special military operation’ in the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine which attained its independence after the sudden collapse of the Soviet era. It has maintained its independence ever since. By this historical collapse, Ukraine and all other republics including Russia have the legitimate right to their territorial integrity and sovereignty. Historically, Ukraine was only part of the Soviet Union which collapsed in December 1991. In his speech during the Russian Federation Security Council meeting at the Kremlin on February 21, 2022, Putin made it…
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia Mamadou Tangara, on January 30 had an official interactive working meeting with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov where both comprehensively reviewed their 60 year-old bilateral relations. Late January, the bilateral encounter was based on the latest historical facts that the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, attended the first Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in October 2019, and in July 2023, Mamadou Tangara represented the Gambia at the second summit in St Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city. Appreciating highly the importance of the positive interaction between both…
Given the multidimensional difficulties facing the the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the most delicate being forging indivisible regional security which, at least, constitute the basis for economic integration and development. In the highly anticipated decision made by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to quit the organization really poses challenges and resolving this fragile questions lead to instability. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have common historical and political background, as former French colonies struggling to maintain some kind of democracy and improve economic situation for 80% impoverished population. But the three political leaderships were unsuccessful…
Palestine-Israeli conflict, which began in October 2023, has received global condemnations, while South Africa became the first to concretely showcase large-scale genocide accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague, Netherlands. According to the United Nations reports, Israel’s relentless military campaign on Gaza has since left at least 26,083 dead – about 70 percent of them women, children and adolescents. At first, Russia has been extra-cautious talking about the Palestine-Israeli situation because of two main factors. The first is connected to its own military bombardment of Ukraine, distinctive similar to Israel’s. South Africa has not raised genocide…
With geopolitical changes intensifying, Russia is steadily broadening influence by making economic investments, creating informal military bases and selling weapons to African countries. Under memorandum of understanding signed on military-technical cooperation, suffice to note that so far totalled 38 African countries with Russia, according to several reports. It aims at restoring peace and democracy in conflict-infested African countries, this reflected in summit declarations adopted in Sochi [2019] and St. Petersburg [2023]. Ensuring security sustainability has become one of the biggest challenges in Africa. Given chronic instability in most parts of Africa and high interest in acquiring military equipment to tackle growing security…
Most of African political leaders are now reacting to post-Soviet politics and emerging economic possibilities in Russia. With emerging multipolarism, some leaders are already adapting to the fast-changing situation and adjusting policies that would support their development goals and effectively work on their election pledges. Despite the internal development hurdles, majority are shifting from the Western and European alliances, looking forward towards cooperating with countries in the Global South. Professor Vladimir Shubin, Institute for African Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, has raised some serious issues in Russian-African relations that need careful consideration. In the first place, inside Africa,…
South Africa Talks Genocide At UN. South Africa, the first African country to push for a compelling genocide accusation case against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As the developments at the Gaza Strip show, it has taken on the genocide case triggered by a disproportionate military response or the high number of Palestinian casualties. It has thus become the first, in the world’s rating, to file a lawsuit against Israel for allegedly violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands. But the…
Geopolitics is seemingly influencing Russia’s approach to many issues ranging from its own approach in politics, its own economic design and cultural attitudes. But for it to lead the expected transformational multipolar arrangement, Russia has to open up and create pathways that portray cultural integration, intensify people-to-people interactions and organize more cultural activities with participation of ‘friendly countries’ desperately seeking alternatives to the United States-controlled “rules-based order” and prefer to be guided by their own interests and those of their partners especially this year and farther beyond. Russia has taken over the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and BRICS (an…
Ethiopia, after attaining fully-fledged BRICS (an association consisting of nations) membership beginning 2024, has suddenly come under global condemnation over recognizing its neighbour Somaliland. As its political development stands, Ethiopia became the first African nation to publicly and officially declare breakaway Somaliland as an independent African State. Somaliland (unrecognized) is situated in the northwest of recognized Somalia. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Ethiopia to the south and west, and Somalia to the east. In 1991 Somaliland, now with approximately 5.7 million, broke away from Somalia. Since…
Russia takes over the rotating chairmanship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) from January 2024. It has already planned a comprehensive range of activities including in politics, security, economy, culture, education and sports, and to tackle outstanding pertinent questions adopted at the 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Russia plans to explore innovative ideas that would further the goals of BRICS especially in the changing geopolitical world. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with RIA Novosti and Rossiya 24 TV on current foreign policy issues on December 28 re-emphasized Russia’s BRICS chairmanship has a global dimension,…
