Russia’s Bridges to the East project, African Union Convenes and Discusses Abstract Topics -By Kester Kenn Klomegah

Undoubtedly, after several tectonic praises for Africa, the continental organization (African Union) and its regional economic blocs, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, suddenly, changed his long-term political assessment and, most probably, perceptions over economic approach and leadership paradigm. The summit was scheduled, by mutual agreement, for October 15. In an exclusive interview – Bridges to the East project – published by the local media Russia Today (RT) a few days leading to the proposed first Russian-Arab Summit, Sergei Lavrov: “We now see Africa establishing its own institutions – not just the African Union, where they convene and discuss abstract topics.”

It was posted to the official website, the interview text however informed that Moscow would host the first Russian-Arab Summit, aimed at building further close strategic relations with most of Russia’s Arab friends, and to systematize the processes of diplomatic relations, strengthen political and peace dialogue and ultimately place it solidly on a multilateral foundation.

As expected, Lavrov spoke at length, presented an indepth historical analysis of the Russia-Arab World/Russia-Arab League partnership and dialogue platform at the level of Arab foreign ministers. And this, of course, included the Arab-African states. Precisely here, it refers the northern African states. All Arab League member states were invited, including the Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. He is an Egyptian citizen with whom Russia has worked closely for a long time, including at the UN. The level of representation was expected to be quite high.

The Arab-African states have had good relations with Russia. Russia has invested in these economies, delivered humantarian food utilizing the port and airport to deliver humanitarian supplies from Russia and the Persian Gulf states to Africa. Further the Arab states and Russia, always, have ‘common’ language at international platforms including at the United Nations. The matter has, in principle, been discussed, and there is mutual interest, and well known across the world.

From the Kremlin, down to the ministries and departments, and even among the political elite and entrepreneurial community, it is believed that northern Arab-African states such as Algeria or Egypt could serve as Russia’s strategic door to the continent. One of the most promising regions in the world, in terms of development potential, is Africa. The legacy left by the Soviet Union, ranging from practical military-technical, economic, financial, and educational assistance, provided to national liberation movements are simply un-deletable from history books. Later, after African nations gained independence, Russia supported them in establishing their statehood. Yet, the fact remains that, Africa has still not achieved full sovereignty after decolonization.

Under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, Russia grew stronger, regained its sense of identity, and understood the role it must continue to play in the world, and it began returning to Africa. The first task is to support Africa to completely de-colonize from the shackles of Europe and from the western world. Within a few past years, eight embassies have been restored on the African continent. Russia has held symbolic Summits, in Sochi (October 2019) and in St. Petersburg (July 2023).

Despite the Russia-Africa’s achievements, multitude of complexities and complications still charactrized Africa’s political governance and economic development. Trends across Africa show a huge distance away from “African problems, African solutions” – an equivalent concept “Africa We Want” propagated by the African Union. Interestingly, African Union (AU) is financed by western multilateral institutions, foreign financial institutions control most of the economic operations and we continue observing glaring signs of western dominance in the continent. Nevertheless, Russia is tremendously supporting Africa, building its economy and industrial sector, training manpower for the various sectors across the continent. The goal is not to remain an appendage of former colonial powers but to build domestic processing industries, where the bulk of value-added is generated. And the stark reality is how to feed (eradicate poverty among) the growing population, estimated at 1.5 billion people, – the overwhelming majority lives in abject poverty despite the huge untapped resources.

Significantly to note that Russia’s trade turnover with Africa, while not yet as substantial as China’s or the West’s, is growing rapidly and has reached nearly $30 billion – though 70 percent of this is concentrated in seven or eight countries. Diversification is needed here. At the St Petersburg summit in July 2023, it was decided to establish a permanent annual ministerial-level mechanism. This was convened in Sochi in autumn 2024. In November month, 2025, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to hold the second annual Russia-Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, Egypt. There will be much to discuss regarding the economic dimensions of Africa’s second “awakening” and also to address the political challenges. The key is to prevent them from escalating.

Within the global governance framework, Russia stands ready to work with its partners in Africa, build a tangible economic foundation and a pan-continental security architecture. The biggest obstacle is system of financing projects. The African Export-Import Bank has been created, in which we participate with special status. Investment programmes are being developed.

While Africa is notably reviewing and addressing its own development procresses and for its future generations, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov concluded: “We now see Africa establishing its own institutions – not just the African Union, where they convene and discuss abstract topics.” Sometimes, these diplomatic statements, made from careful observations, sound appropriate, and further create basis for the acknowledgement of reality. African leaders must begin charity at home, must start its own reforms prior to raising similar criticisms over the performance of multilateral institutions and organizations.

At this crucial point, one global strategic significance is that Africa is undergoing a second “awakening” as explicitly explained in Lavrov’s interview Bridges to the East project, but necessary reforms have not yet caught up with the state institutions of the continent, often described as wealthy in untapped natural resources and human resources, its huge manpower. Simply worth to re-emphasize here in logical conclusion, that African Union (AU) must work towards most of its own credibility. The inspiring message is to undertake necessary reforms, a sign of pragmatism as the world also moves to recreate into a better performing multipolar world. In practical terms, it’s time to wake up, Africa.
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