Russia-Africa 2023 summit sparks US, French pressure

Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine a year and a half ago, the Kremlin has stepped up its efforts to forge ties with other regions that could compensate for the ground it was inevitably losing in the West. European countries imposed a blockade on Vladimir Putin's government that the Russians have tried to circumvent through their commitment to the Global South. This concept sees Africa as a focus for development and growth, something it is certainly proving to be more and more powerful.

Hence, the Russians saw a window of opportunity in NATO's backyard, as diplomat Jorge Dezcallar calls North Africa in his book Operation False Flag: From the Kremlin to Tindouf. Algeria, Russia's closest ally in the region, is not the only sign of Russia's intentions, which continue to move steadily forward, as the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg tomorrow 26 August shows. The South African president has confirmed his attendance at this event, largely motivated by the ties that unite his country with Russia, such as the BRICS agreement (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President, has confirmed his attendance at the summit, which he will be accompanied by Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Minister of the Presidency responsible for the State Security Agency, among other senior officials. The note issued by the Presidency indicates the issues to be discussed at the meeting, including cooperation in politics, security and trade.

They also mention a special interest in joining forces in the fight against terrorism and the prevention of an arms race. It will be at this same event that the African heads of state who are part of the Peace Mission in relation to the war between Ukraine and Russia will address the issue with Putin. However, the reality is that the hope of reaching an agreement on this occasion is remote, especially after Russia's growing tension with Western countries following "pressure" denounced by the Kremlin.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that "practically all African countries have been subjected to unprecedented pressure from the United States". He added that "the French embassy was not and is not standing idly by either", also accusing Emmanuel Macron's country of pressuring certain countries not to attend the summit. Peskov considers that this position "deserves to be condemned", and says that "they are doing their bit" to prevent the meeting from taking place, from which he hopes to emerge with the issuing of four final declarations and a three-year Action Plan, as the South African communiqué also stated.

Russia's reported pressure is but one sign of the tension generated in the West by Moscow's increasingly strong position in Africa. Together with China, they are succeeding in expanding their area of influence and gaining weight with an ever-growing list of countries. And the response of African countries, which for the most part have remained neutral as the Russian invasion of Ukraine has unfolded, is far from being inimical to Russian aspirations.

South Africa is not the only example, but it is one of the strongest. They are looking out for their own self-interest, and high on their agenda is BRICS, which many countries are also vying to join. The agreement that unites the five countries mentioned above is based on economic and trade cooperation, and represents a strong link between nations that share demographic characteristics and, when it was signed at the beginning of the century, also expectations of economic growth.

In fact, a BRICS summit is scheduled for 22-24 August in Johannesburg. The first points of this meeting will also be discussed this time on Russian soil, where Russia and South Africa hope to strengthen their ties and pave the way for the end of August. South Africa's stance suggests that, far from systematically repudiating Moscow, as the West has been doing for the past year and a half, it is taking the opportunity to foster its ties with the Kremlin. And it is precisely this willingness to cooperate that should be of particular concern to the United States, which is not at its best when it comes to foreign policy in Africa and the Middle East.

Americas Coordinator: José Antonio Sierra