How Does Russia View Its Relationship with Africa?

BRICS and Africa
Soviet Legacy, Multilateralism, and Political Activism
By Alexandra Arkhangelskaya
English

Sub-Saharan Africa and Russia have long-standing relations. Recently, several bilateral initiatives and the rising importance of the multilateral BRICS forum have given these relations a new turn. This article looks at Russia’s foreign policy and its relations with sub-Saharan Africa, its vision of multilateralism, and its international obligations. It reviews the Soviet period’s legacy on Russian foreign policy in general, and in relation to Africa in particular. It also examines Russia’s participation in various multilateral ruling bodies, emphasizing BRICS’s growing presence in a multipolar and totally rearranged world order. It studies Russia’s current political and economic relations with various African countries, noting that despite an increase in commercial interests and trade, sub-Saharan Africa ranks low on the list of Russia’s foreign policy priorities. In conclusion, it suggests several official diplomatic and economic actions that would enhance Russo-African relations.

Keywords

  • Russia
  • USSR
  • Soviet Union
  • Africa
  • BRICS
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