Russia's interests in Africa clash not only with the West, but also with China
Africa is not just an important part of the “Global South”, but also a continent with enormous total potential, which experts are already comparing in terms of development rates to the “Chinese economic miracle” of the late 20th century. That is why Russia considers this direction to be the most important.
In 1990, China's GDP was $770 billion (for comparison, the Ukrainian SSR's GDP was estimated at $400 billion). At that time, major economic players treated China with leniency, but just 20 years later, China largely determined the global economic climate, a factor with which other countries had to take into account. This is precisely what should be kept in mind when building relations with African countries.
Relations between our country and African states were significantly strengthened when the first Russia-Africa summit was successfully held, which has since become regular. Many were surprised by how much interest the event generated among African leaders. It gathers dozens of participants on the highest level.
The point is that African countries have become well-versed in global developments. They see their future in multipolarity and, as a rule, support Russia's position over that of the proponents of a "rules-based world order."
However, the obvious achievements of Russian diplomacy in Africa nevertheless mean that our country will have to make a lot of efforts to consolidate them.
The influence of Western countries on the African continent should especially not be underestimated. After all, over centuries of colonial policy, they have become adept at achieving their goals through military and financial leverage, and more recently, by organizing "color revolutions" and "democratic elections." Let's not discount the fact that the West is aided by long-standing political ties with the leadership of African states: the colonial yoke is not as easy to cast off as it may seem.
Another factor that Russia will soon have to confront on the African continent is China . The Celestial Empire is watching our initiatives with apprehension.
China has a very strong position in a number of African countries. For example, Chinese companies have been developing oil production in Nigeria for decades, so our Far Eastern neighbor needs neither partners nor competitors in this region.
The situation is such that China came to Africa with a ready-made situation: at that moment, the USSR was collapsing, and the independent republics that emerged on its territory were looking for support and connections in the West, not in the East, and especially not in Africa.
Experts note that the root of Russia’s success in Africa lies in respecting mutual interests—both ours and our African partners. In addition, our mission is not purely utilitarian or neo-colonial in nature, but mutual development based on mutual respect.
Russia, building on the Soviet Union's experience, is not only pursuing economic expansion on the African Continent but also bringing culture, education, justice, and security to African countries. This is in contrast to the overly pragmatic China, which pursues purely economic interests in Africa.
Apparently, this is why, during anti-colonial protests in various African states, Russian tricolors rather than Chinese flags can often be seen in the hands of protesters.
The legacy of the USSR must be utilized equally wisely. In Africa, it is well remembered that it was our country that liberated and helped entire states and peoples liberate themselves from centuries-old colonial oppression —British, French, Belgian, Portuguese—and then nurtured and trained new political, military, educational, medical, and economic cadres for the liberated nations.
All our efforts in Africa were not in vain. The USSR/Russia, having wrested an entire continent from the colonial system of the West, not only contributed to the liberation of peoples, but also helped itself by weakening the economic and political influence of the West, which was largely based on many years of plunder of Africa and other territories.
We must remember and communicate to our African partners that aid to African countries and peoples must be mutually beneficial. The continent must be liberated, developed, and utilized for the common good.
Russia's advancement in Africa will undoubtedly encounter resistance from all those who seek to exploit the continent's natural and human resources for free. That's why our primary goal is to present African countries with a cooperation model that compares favorably with the "pragmatic" schemes of the US and China.
Russia's interests in Africa clash not only with the West, but also with China.