Author: Kestér Kenn Klomegâh

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,…

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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,…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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As Russia prepares to hold the next presidential elections on March 15 to 17, and the date was accordingly approved by Federation Council and the State Duma, the twisting political landscape offers the assurance that President Vladimir Putin will inarguably be the winner. On December 8, Putin announced plans to run for president in 2024, as he decorated servicemen with Hero of Russia awards. By law, the upper house of the Russian parliament schedules the presidential election no earlier than 100 days and no later than 90 days before the voting date. The Federation Council, the upper chamber of legislators,…

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On December 11, a grand ceremony of the “Honest View” media award for foreign journalists and bloggers, established by Rossotrudnichestvo in 2022, was held in Moscow.  The shortlist of the international Rossotrudnichestvo award “The Honest View Media Award” included 30 foreign authors of articles devoted to objective and comprehensive coverage abroad of projects with Russian participation and the development of international cooperation. In total, this year the organizing committee reviewed more than 250 works from 51 countries. This is twice as much as last year. Following the call for nominations which ended recently and attracted submissions from a number of…

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Interview by Kestér Kenn Klomegâh  The Russian Energy Week International Forum is a key global platform for discussing current trends in the development of modern energy sector. This event is traditionally held at the highest level, featuring the participation of leaders from the largest companies in the energy industry. In 2023, the forum attracted over 3,000 participants from more than 80 foreign countries. On the sidelines of the forum, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the South Africa based African Energy Chamber, acknowledged in an exclusive interview that Africa is developing as the fastest growing energy market in the world. That…

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Learning Russian language is hitting magnificent roadblocks among Africans. For these several years after Soviet’s collapse, Moscow has been stepping up efforts to strengthen Russian language studies and its culture across Africa. But there have been little tangible results largely due to low motivation towards the language, its usefulness is blurry compared to foreign languages including English language and now Chinese. In fact, Africa’s potential is obvious to everyone. Russia hopes to normalize cultural relations but has been hampered by multiple challenges. The Kremlin leadership, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NGOs including Russkiy Mir Foundation, created for supporting the…

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Global leaders struggle to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict which began October 7. United Nations has held series of meetings, expressed concern over the humanitarian catastrophe that unfolded in the region. Israel has outright been accused of war crimes and “genocide” in the Palestinian territory. These followed Russia’s ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine late February 2022, with similar consequences – killing of thousands of civilians including children, many more thousands were displaced and destruction of infrastructure. In both cases, Russia-Ukraine and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts, BRICS – a group of major emerging economies that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa –…

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Long before South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired a video summit with BRICS leaders (Brazil, Russia, India and China) with participation of new members on November 21 to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict, there have been some differences in perceptions and approaches among them, so it was not surprising that the BRICS bloc did not agree on issuing a joint declaration. Last August when BRICS held its 15th summit, South Africa’s position was entirely different on the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. But today, South Africa has vehemently called for an arrest warrant to be issued, without further…

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Russia, the largest country in the world by area, has a population of 147.2 million, according to the population census.  In the 2021, the census, roughly 81% of the population were ethnic Russians, 19% of the population were ethnic minorities. Demographers say Russia has become increasingly reliant on immigration to maintain its population. Russia’s population is increasingly decreasing since the start of its invasion into neighboring Ukraine late February 2022. The demographic crisis has deepened primarily due to high military fatalities while simultaneously facing renewed brain drain and human capital flight caused by Western mass-sanctions imposed on the country. In…

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It started only few years ago, the unexpected speed of Russia’s return journey to Africa. Russia commenced deepening ties with African countries following sanctions imposed on it by the United States and Europe in 2014. It has, with the toughest speed, been dealing with French neocolonialism on the continent – from Central African Republic and has moved to West Africa. Under its armpit are Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Niger. Due to the geopolitical dynamics, Russia is further penetrating beyond the Sahel into Senegal on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. Senegal is notably the westernmost country in the mainland…

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In this insightful interview, Kestér Kenn Klomegâh this November talked at considerable length with Dr. Israel Nyaburi Nyadera, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Egerton University in the Republic of Kenya and Expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, over aspects of the current geopolitical changes in relation with Africa, and the existing relationship between Russia and Africa. Here are the interview excerpts: What are the implications when Russia is looking for its Soviet-era allies and “non-Western friends” support for creating a new world order? Is the world being partitioned similar to East-West, during the Soviet days? Efforts…

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It was March 20, at the inter-parliamentary congress Russia-Africa. Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to make ‘no-cost delivery’ of grains to six African countries. This promised was renewed at the late July Russia-Africa summit held St. Petersburg. Local Russian media picked up this to feed the public that Russia is supplying free grains to entire Africa. Too much political propaganda. Africa is not a country. Africa is a continent consisting 54 independent states. And yet Russia could not supply after several months have passed, shifting blames to Western and European sanctions. The latest information emerging indicates Russia was ready to…

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The African continent is one of the fastest growing energy markets in the world. This is due to the growing economic and demographic potential of African countries, as well as the efforts of many of them to combat climate change. Despite having passed through a long period of tumultuous post-colonial era, Africa’s efforts on ensuring effective energy cooperation with leading global powers has not been an easy journey down the years. Until today, more than half on the estimated 1.4 billion still have no access to electric power for domestic utilization while industries continue suffering from frequent power outrages (interruptions),…

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with Equatorial Guinean President President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who came on an official working visit to Moscow. The visit could be characterized as historic, and interpreted as one major step to broadly review the political situation in the central African region, and specifically assess the prospects for deepening bilateral cooperation between Russia and  Equatorial Guinea. As the current rotating Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the regional economic bloc uniting Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Principe,…

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