Russia and Africa: A New Era of Diplomatic Relations

Russia has long been viewed as an outsider in the international arena especially in Africa with the new era of diplomatic relations, but with the emergence of the Putin-led government came a different approach to diplomacy. Now, Russia is increasingly becoming a key actor in the African political theatre, offering economic and military support in exchange for access to valuable resources. This newfound interest is reflected in Russia’s recent offer to provide military equipment to the Somali army as it battles extremism on its own soil.

The offer came during a meeting in Moscow between the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Somali counterpart Abshir Omar Jama. The Moscow talks did not just focus on Somalia; much of the discussion focused on an agreement for Russia to supply technical, military, and economic assistance in the fight against terrorism in the region. The Russian Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Russia’s willingness to meet the material needs of the Somali army in its fight against extremist groups like al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda in Somalia.

The renewed relationship between Russia and Somalia is just the latest in a series of diplomatic deepening between Russia and African nations. Already, Russia has a military presence in Central African Republic, Mali, Mozambique and Libya through Wagner, a private mercenary organisation owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman and ally of president Putin.

Russia’s strategy in Africa has been one of influence through alliances. Putin has sought out countries that have been shunned by the West or facing insurgencies and civil unrest. In exchange for Russia’s military muscle, these African leaders provide Putin access to valuable resources. This model has been incredibly successful and allows the Kremlin to engage in the geopolitics of the African continent without making too many waves.

It’s not just the military that is providing a boost either; Russia has sought to establish itself as an arbiter in African politics. On March 14th, 2020, the UN Security Council was slated to vote on a resolution condemning the Ukrainian invasion. 17 of the 35 countries that abstained from the vote were African, a strong sign that Russia was attempting to use its influence to sway African leaders to its side.

Russia strengthened diplomatic relations with Mali

Russia and Mali have strengthened diplomatic ties following a visit from the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. Visit to the West African country of Mali was marked by talks between Lavrov and Mali’s interim leader, Colonel Assimi Goita.

The visit was part of strengthening Russia’s presence in Africa, after Moscow was met with wide international criticism from invading Ukraine in 2014. During the visit, Lavrov praised the bilateral relations between Moscow and Bamako. To emphasise Russia’s growth in relations, he added that in the last year, a large consignment of Russian aviation equipment had been delivered.

The consignment was successfully used by the National Army of Mali in the fight against terrorism and a second batch of aircraft was delivered on the 19th of January. The visit was the first of its kind with a head of the Russian Foreign Ministry visiting Mali and the third Lavrov has taken to Africa since July 2022.

Russia and Mali’s relationship has already been acknowledged and the United Nations called for an investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity with regards to the government forces and private military contractor Wagner Group which is present in Mali.

Mali Stronger Economic Ties With Russia

In the last few months, Mali has been actively working to strengthen its economic ties with Russia. In a joint press conference, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia would provide necessary support to Mali for economic, trade, and humanitarian purposes. Since a coup in 2020, the Malian government has leaned on Russia for support in tackling its ongoing Islamist insurgency.

The tight relations are underscored by recent announcements from both governments. For instance, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Mali fuel, fertiliser, and food shipments worth around $100 million (€93 million) to help combat the insurgency. In response, Mali’s foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop mentioned his country’s appreciation for Russian decisions to create favourable conditions for basic necessities.

Russia and Mali are working on two main economic targets: first, the development of infrastructure, energy, and industrial capacities in Mali. This will be done through various projects that will help create employment and leverage Mali’s natural resources. In addition, both countries are attempting to establish reliable lines of supply of essential products into the Malian market at preferential terms. This involves setting up long-term agreements with Russian businesses, so that the Malian market receives reliable, quality products.

It is also essential to establish support for small and medium-sized enterprises and farmers to provide local production of necessary products as well as tourism. This is an important step to diversify the Malian economy, and in the long term, strengthen economic resilience.

Both sides have expressed satisfaction with recent developments and are seeking to deepen economic ties further. Lavrov mentioned that such cooperation will play “a major role in economic recovery in the region.”

Russia diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso

Russia and Burkina Faso have recently worked to strengthen their diplomatic relations, with the West African country increasingly looking to Moscow for assistance in the fight against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Burkina Faso’s interim president, Ibrahim Traore, has indicated Russia’s importance in the region, saying, “We have strategic allies too. We have new forms of cooperation. Russia, for example, is a strategic ally.” Traore went on to mention the frankness of the cooperation and Russia’s contributions as a major supplier of military equipment without further specifications.

This shift in the relationship between the two countries has caused some alarm in the West. After France abruptly withdrew its troops from Mali last year, Burkina Faso evicted French troops following the end of their 2013 agreement, signalling a turning point in foreign dealings.

Russia has seen this as an opportunity to take a larger role in the region. It has provided military contractors to the area, such as Wagner Group, making it a crucial partner in the fight against armed groups.

These efforts to strengthen diplomatic relations and increase military ties between Russia and Burkina Faso are seen as pivotal for the development of the region and for the country itself. The increased support it gets from Russia could be a strong asset in the fight against these groups.

Frustration is growing in West Africa’s Sahel region as violence and political unrest continue unabated. In Burkina Faso, anti-government forces are wreaking havoc, and some suspect the private Russian military contractor Wagner Group may be involved. In Mali, a former French colony, the hollowness of French President Emmanuel Macron’s promise to protect the country’s citizens has been glaringly exposed.

France has been present in Mali since 2013, when it launched an operation dubbed Serval to quash an insurrection by Islamist militants. Despite nearly nine years of intervention since then, militants remain active in the country, and are believed to be responsible for the deaths of dozens of Malian civilians since June 2020. This failure to rout out the rebels has led to the disenchantment of many Malians with their former colonisers.

President Macron promised earlier this year to “ensure the security of the communication axes, territorial continuity and relaunch development in Mali” in a statement issued after four French soldiers were killed in an ambush. But analysts suggest the promise was hollow rhetoric that has yet to be fulfilled.

It’s not just in Mali where violence is escalating. In neighbouring Burkina Faso, reports indicate that the Wagner Group may be providing mercenaries in support of the anti-government forces. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo alleged in December that his neighbour had hired the mercenaries, prompting the government of Burkina Faso to summon Ghana’s ambassador to protest.

However, Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré said in a recent interview that the country’s army is more than capable of tackling the violence: “Our army fights alone,” Traore said. ”Wagner’s presence was invented to harm Burkina, so countries would not cooperate with us.”