Russia's expansion in Africa makes up for sanctions-induced losses
Russia has succeeded in expanding its influence in Africa.
In the past period, it even increased
the pace of its attempts to extend its influence on the continent.
This especially came after the eruption
of its war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Russian has become heavily dependent on
the black continent, especially after Western countries imposed sanctions on
it.
This dependence partly compensates Moscow
for the losses it sustained because of these sanctions.
The results of the UN General Assembly's
vote on March 4, 2022 are the biggest proof of the aforementioned argument.
This vote was related to the resolution
condemning the Russian military operation on Ukraine.
Seventeen African countries abstained
from voting on the resolution, while one country objected, Eritrea, and eight
countries were absent.
This means that half of the African
continent did not support the resolution, just as it did with the decision not
to recognize the new situation in Crimea after the Russian control over it in
2014, when 27 African countries abstained, six countries were absent, and two
countries objected, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
This means that the decision did not
find support from 35 African countries.
Closer relations
Ahmed Askar, a researcher at the al-Ahram
Centre for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, said due to the increasing
Western pressure on Russia following the outbreak of the Ukrainian war, Moscow
is suffering both under the yoke of Western sanctions imposed on trade, supply
chains and food, which caused a global crisis by extension.
"On the other hand, the West has
increased the pressure on African countries significantly by threatening to
impose sanctions and stop financial and humanitarian assistance," Askar
told The Reference.
He added that since the beginning of the
war, which claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, Moscow has turned
to China, India and African countries, trying to strengthen relations there.
Russia especially seeks to win over African
countries by all means, which is consistent with the strategy of President
Vladimir Putin.
"This was why Foreign Minister
Sergei Lavrov visited the continent twice this year already," Askar said.
