On July 27-28, the Russian authorities will hold the "Russia-Africa" summit in St. Petersburg. This event is an attempt by Russia to politically and economically influence African countries and to show the world that despite Western sanctions for the war in Ukraine, Moscow remains an influential player on the international stage. Relations with Russia are "toxic," which worsens the internal political situation in Africa.
Russia's behavior on the international stage has become so toxic that its "soft power" is no longer effective in European countries. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has focused its attention on the African continent, as it can obtain additional resources to support its sanctions-hit economy. Essentially, Moscow is pursuing expansionist policies in Africa, influencing African countries not only through Wagner Group mercenaries but also through pro-Russian, anti-Western propaganda. Regardless of Russia's attempts to shed its "outcast" status, Vladimir Putin continues to remain a controversial figure in most countries, including some African nations. Contacts with Russian officials can have negative consequences for the image and political positions of African leaders, as Russia is the largest sanctioned country in the world. Over 14,000 restrictions have been imposed on individuals and entities from Russia, a fivefold increase since the start of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. Furthermore, South Africa's government has confirmed Russia's isolation on the international stage. The country's Vice President, Paul Mashatile, stated that he would be satisfied if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the BRICS summit; otherwise, he would have to be arrested and sent to the Hague, where an arrest warrant has been issued against him. Despite this, the Kremlin still attempts to present Russia as a country with deep partnership relations with Africa. This is the purpose of the "Russia-Africa" summit, which is intended to demonstrate support from African countries for Russia's current political course. African leaders agreeing to participate in the summit should consider that Russia's activities on the international stage completely undermine the principle of territorial integrity. This is crucial because a precedent of one country violating the borders of another can lead to large-scale armed conflicts in Africa, plunging the continent into an abyss of war. In turn, Russia aims to control the "gray zones" of confrontation on the African continent by arming and supporting militants. These territories are used as key points in migration routes. This poses a threat to the stability of African countries, drains their human resources, and undermines their connections with the civilized world. Russia's presence in the Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan, and Burkina Faso marks the beginning of Moscow's expansion in Africa. Today, Russia is undermining the principle of neutrality worldwide, as it seeks to "divide" African countries into "loyal" and "disloyal" ones. It is highly likely that after the "Russia-Africa" summit, an escalation of the socio-political situation can be expected in any African country, especially those pursuing an independent policy and not being excessively loyal to Moscow. It is also worth considering that during their visit to Moscow in June of this year, African leaders called on Putin to demonstrate his willingness to move forward on the path to peace in Ukraine. However, this did not materialize, as today's Russia pursues an expansionist imperial policy where peace is the annexation of as much territory as possible from neighboring Ukraine.
Source: toptribune.today
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