Russian-African Relations

Çin, Fransa ve Türkiye gibi devletlerin Afrika kıtasında artarak devam eden nüfuzu, Rusya Devlet Başkanı Vladimir Putin’in bölgeye olan ilgisini artırmış ve kıta son yıllarda, Rus diplomasi ve ekonomi gündeminde yer almaya başlamıştır. Bunun neticesinde de Rusya kıtayla 19. yüzyıldan beri çeşitli nedenlerle belirli bir sistematik yapıya kavuşturulamayan münasebetlerini güçlendirmek istemiştir. Bu isteğine paralel olarak da özellikle son yıllarda Rus devlet adamları bölgeye gidip gelmiş, kıta ülkelerinin devlet adamları da mütemadiyen Rusya’ya iade-i ziyarette bulunmuşlardır. Ayrıca Rusya Devleti bölgeyle olan irtibatını muhafaza etmek ve geliştirmek adına Rusya-Afrika zirveleri düzenlemiştir. Bunlardan sonuncusu kıtadaki en büyük siyasi ve ticari partneri olan Mısır’ın eş başkanlığında 23-24 Ekim 2019’da Rusya’nın diplomasi başkenti olan Soçi’de gerçekleşmiştir. Bu çalışma Rusya’nın Afrika kıtası ile olan münasebetini Ekim 2019’da gerçekleşen Rusya-Afrika Zirvesi bağlamında ortaya koymaya çalışmaktadır.

The article of Russian and Ghanaian authors describes the evolution of political and economic relations between Soviet Union/Russia and Ghana throughout different historical periods (starting from 1950s to present). Great attention is paid to the basis of the cooperation laid in Soviet period. The article also observes current tendencies of the bilateral relations, which are quite friendly and fruitful. Moscow regards the Republic of Ghana as a reliable, time-proven partner especially on international issues: the establishment of a more democratic polycentric world order, ensuring regional and strategic stability, disarmament, combating international terrorism and other global challenges and threats. Russia and Ghana provide each other mutual support in the election of representatives of the two countries in international organizations. Russia and Ghana also develop their cooperation in the field of security. The participation of USSR/Russia in foreign trade of Ghana is analyzed. The significant increase in the number of Ghanaian trade partners is indicated while the share of Great Britain decreases and the share of Asian, African and other states increases. In recent years, the favorable conditions for the development of Russian-Ghanaian trade and economic relations were created. The cooperation of the two countries also develops in the field of nuclear energy. The main bilateral visits between Ghana and Russia are examined in the article. The special attention is paid to the first meeting of the Russian-Ghanaian Intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, academic and technical cooperation took place in Moscow in October 2014.

The Russia-Africa summit is taking place on 23-24 October 2019 in Sochi. This paper explores the drivers of Russia's Africa engagement in the post-Cold War era, while also examining the commercial, military, peace and security, development cooperation and public diplomacy dimensions. The summit provides an opportunity to determine the future shape of relations between Russia and Africa. Africa needs to be realistic about what it can expect and ensure that its priorities and home-grown initiatives are an integral part of the relationship.

Rus Çarlığının Afrika kıtasındaki faaliyetleri hakkında ülkemizde pek fazla akademik çalışma yapılmamıştır. 1718 yılında Büyük Petro döneminde Etiyopya’ya Rusların ilgisi başlamış ancak Petro’nun ölümüyle bu ilgi fazla sürmemiştir. Ancak 1848 yılında Rusya’da Afrika üzerine çalışmaların yeniden başladığını ve 1885 yılından sonra fiili olarak Etiyopya’ya yerleşmeye başladığını görmekteyiz. Bu tarihten sonra Rusların bölgede okullar, dispanserler ve kiliseler açarak misyoner faaliyetlerinde bulunduğu görülmektedir. Bunlardan başka İtalyanlara karşı Etiyopya yerel yönetimini de askeri malzemeler vermek suretiyle desteklediği görülmektedir. Rusya bölgedeki faaliyetlerini 1905 yılındaki Rus Japon savaşından dolayı sonlandıracak ve bölgeyi terk edecektir.

فرضت الأهميّة الإستراتيجية التي اكتسبتها القارة الأفريقية في السنوات القليلة الماضية على عدد من القوى العالميّة ولاسيما الصين والولايات المتّحدة الأمريكية وروسيا الدخول في حلبة تنافس لحجز موطئ قدم لها بما يحقق مصالحها ويفتح لها آفاقا لتحقيق أكبر قدر من المكاسب.

http://studies.aljazeera.net/ar/reports/2009/2011721143056640254.html#

This study of Washington’s dealings with Equatorial Guinea under the rule of one of modern Africa’s most brutal dictators, Francisco Macías Nguema, analyzes US perceptions and policies relating to communist intervention, human rights, and related geopolitical issues during the Nixon, Ford, and Carter presidencies. It also sheds light on the relationships and conflicts between the Soviet Union, China, and Cuba in Africa. In addition, it offers new perspectives on Cuba’s ties to the dictatorship of Francisco Macías Nguema and on the possible role of international actors in his downfall in 1979.

https://academic.oup.com/dh/article-abstract/43/4/699/5490292
FULL VERSION OF ARTICLE AVAILABLE FROM AUTHOR ON REQUEST

Russians do not share the same analysis of the world than the Europeans. That is perhaps from far the essential misunderstanding that leads the West to mislead its own strategies in issues where Russia is involved. It comes from a political culture where expansion was in the same time a strategic necessity, a moral principle, a basis of internal power, and a paradigm of foreign policy. Some say that Russia still sees itself in the world like in the 19th century. Some others say that Moscow invent the future of warfare and strategy. Both are true.

On October 23-24, the Russia-Africa Summit and Economic Forum took place in Sochi. Although the focus was on economic cooperation, the Forum became an instrument to promote the main goal of Russia in Africa. It’s political influence through the control over natural resources and military support.