The Return of Russia-Africa Relations

Review of international affairs, 2022

Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of Political Science 9(2), 86-105, 2024

At the height of the Cold War, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), in ideological competition with the United States of America (USA), made inroads into Africa and gradually held sway over some countries therein. Owing largely to domestic issues, the USSR collapsed in 1991, thus ending the longstanding Cold War. From 1992 to 1999, the Russian Federation as the successor state to the USSR had minimal relations with Africa. However, in the 2000s, Russia rekindled its interest in geo-strategic Africa. This article highlights features of Soviet-African relations that were stopped and those that remain part of Russia's African policy. To achieve this, the historical approach was adopted and data was collected from secondary sources. The article concludes that in the trajectory of Russo-African relations, Soviet support for liberation movements, economic aid, and the promotion of Marxist-Leninist ideology in Africa ended while state scholarships, arms sales, and military training continued.

Journal of public affairs, 2020

Science For All Publications, 2023

In recent years, Russia's increased interest in Africa has triggered a shift in the dynamics of their bilateral ties, ushering in a new era of multi-track partnerships. This essay examines Russia's complex participation in Africa, spanning economic, political, and socio-cultural dimensions, and dives into the crucial importance of multi-track interactions in the framework of current international relations. This research intends to reveal the far-reaching ramifications of these multi-track partnerships for Russia, African nations, and the intricate fabric of global politics and international relations by diving into the repercussions of these multi-track relationships.

Strategic Review for Southern Africa, 2020

In recent years, Russian President Vladimir Putin increasingly places a high premium on rebuilding Russia's global influence, which includes a boosting of Russia's relations with the African continent. This coincides with Putin's position that the strengthening of ties with African states is a Russian foreign policy priority. Moreover, there is little doubt that much of Moscow's new involvement in Africa relates to Putin's desire to revive his country's great-power status. The main research question is: What is behind Moscow's renewed push into the continent? Three areas of Russia-Africa relations of special importance are suggested in this article. Firstly, much of Russia's focus on the African continent centres on energy diplomacy. Secondly, Russia is the second largest exporter of arms globally after the United States, and Moscow is a major supplier of weapons and military aid to Africa. Thirdly, the continent is rich in mineral wealth, and Moscow has an economic interest in mineral riches in Africa. This article argues the above-mentioned issues are the main drivers underlying Russia's renewed strategic engagement with the African continent. The article further reflects on whether Russia's foreign policy successes in Africa have been overblown, or whether Russia's renewed engagement with Africa is actually of considerable significance in the global context and from an African point of view.

During the Cold War, the Horn of Africa became one of the struggle areas in a bi-polar world system. In the Post-Cold War period, situation was changed and Russia decreased the level of relations with African states because of economic catastrophe and psychological factors. At the same time, the Horn of Africa has continued to produce deaths and destruction. After the lost years with Yeltsin, Russian foreign policy concept shifted in Putin's presidency. Russia has projected its hard and soft power as a great power in Africa again. Russia's trade with Africa has increased immensely in recent years. Russian armed forces has involved in peacekeeping operations in Africa. Still, Africa is not in the central of Russian foreign policy. But the developments in Gulf of Aden can make Russia more eager to concentrate on the Horn of Africa. This article examines of renewed political, military, economic and cultural links of Russia with the Horn of Africa under Putin leadership, including the reasons for failure and rise in the 21st Century.

2021

The purpose of this study is to identify various Russian manifestations on expanding its role in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as shed light on the major obstacles it may face.,The research paper uses the “national role theory” to analyze the factors that helped in the growing Russian role in sub-Saharan African countries. It assumes that every state seeks to play a particular role, and that role is reflected in its foreign policy, which is known as “role performance,” and this role originates from several sources. On the other hand, this role faces various obstacles, mostly from the external environment, especially the international system’s structure, global values and international obligations, known as “role prescriptions.”,Despite Russia’s ability to use all its capacities in expanding its role in the African continent, the degree of its influence varied from one field to another. While it was very influential in the military, security, political, diplomatic and technical fields,...

2019

This essay will discuss the implications of Russia’s official engagement with Africa for the latter’s development and security. The essay will be divided into three parts. Part one will discuss Russia’s long engagement with Africa and why Russia still needs engagement with Africa. Part two will discuss the development implication of Russia’s engagement with Africa. Part three will discuss one developmental implication of Russia’s contact with Africa.

2020