Russia's Growing Presence in Africa and the New Strategic Playing Field

Reports that the Russian private military company Wagner Group is conducting various commercial and military activities in Sudan have sparked more detailed discussions about Russia's presence in Africa. But when and why did Russia's intense interest in the continent begin?

During the era when European nations competed to exploit Africa, Russia remained disinterested and did not join the race. Its primary focus was on regions closer to home, such as the Balkans and the Middle East. With no intention of establishing a presence in Africa, Russia initially aimed to expand its influence in Europe and Asia.

Another reason for its lack of interest was Russia's absence of a naval fleet capable of projecting power to Africa. Its influence in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans was virtually nonexistent.

During the Soviet era, diplomatic and military relations with Africa began to take shape. The Soviet government particularly reached out to African countries that adopted socialist regimes, providing them with military support. It took a stand against the apartheid regime in South Africa, offering funding and military aid to the African National Congress. Similarly, it supported Zimbabwe and Angola in their struggles for independence against colonial powers. However, these relations came to a halt with the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Russia's interest in Africa has grown over the last decade

In recent years, Russia's interest in the continent has increased. The first Russia-Africa Summit was held in Sochi in October 2019. Like all other Africa summits, the negotiations were conducted not in line with Africa's interests and demands, but rather to serve the interests of the major power organizing it. Another Russia-Africa Summit is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg this July.

A primary goal of Russia's interest in Africa is to gain access to the strategically crucial territories of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. It came very close to establishing a naval base at a Sudanese port. Russia also provides security for Eritrea, located on the Red Sea coast.

Through the Wagner Group, Russia has gained an upper hand by providing security services in the Central African Republic, Libya, and Mali.

Of course, while the West and China have been exploiting Africa's rich mineral resources for years, it is unthinkable that a major power like Russia would not want a share of the metals crucial for technological advancements. Russia is accused of smuggling minerals in some African countries (it is alleged to have smuggled gold out of Sudan), and there are claims that Putin holds shares in certain mines.

Africa's fertile lands and climate have also not escaped Russia's notice. Following its recent fertilizer aid to Malawi, it is continuing with other African nations possessing fertile soil. At a time when the world is discussing a food crisis, Russia's moves are highly significant.

However, Russia's presence on the continent is strengthening not through economic investments, infrastructure, and trade like its competitors, but through military support and arms supplies. Today, there are many experts in African armies trained by the USSR and Russia.

Russia supplies arms to over 20 African countries, primarily in North Africa, and maintains military and technical cooperation with more than 40 countries.

The Wagner Group, a private military company, provides security and political advisory services to leaders in African countries in exchange for rights to extract certain natural resources (minerals). Today, Wagner operates in approximately 10 African countries (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Libya, Madagascar, Angola, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and the Central African Republic).

Russia often supports unpopular politicians, creating leaders indebted to it. In the long term, it acts against the interests of the African people, enabling illegitimate governments to remain in power, or it destabilizes and thrives on chaos.

Russia pursues anti-Western policies

Rwanda is one of Africa's fastest-developing countries. By investing in the infrastructure and developing nuclear science of this small nation, often called the Singapore of Africa, Russia has provided a role model for other African countries.

In return for these investments, Rwandan President Paul Kagame recently defended Russia, saying, "Some complain about the presence of China and Russia in Africa, but why are they [the West] there themselves? What gives them the right, and not others?"

On the other hand, because Russia has ideologically positioned itself as anti-Western, it also aims to weaken the West in its Africa policy. In Algeria, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Gabon, Russian energy companies like Rosneft and Gazprom have tried to block energy exports to Europe in the hydrocarbon sector.

What was the impact of the Ukraine war on Africa?

While Russia continues full throttle to advance relations with Africa, the Ukraine crisis brought both some problems and gains for Russia-Africa relations.

Africa sources over 50% of its needed wheat from Russia and Ukraine. This situation has deepened the food crisis on the continent. However, African countries are turning to different markets and considering alternative foods, focusing on what steps need to be taken in the longer term.

On the other hand, Africa began to benefit from the sanctions imposed on Russia. Russia's withdrawal from the European energy market reduced competition and drove up prices. This means significant gains for the African economy.

For example, Tanzania, with its rich natural gas reserves, sat down to negotiate with foreign investors like Shell and ENI. Senegal is securing similar advantages from natural gas by negotiating with European investors. Nigeria already meets 14% of the EU's natural gas demand.

Through previous diplomatic visits, Russia has relatively succeeded in creating public support for itself in Africa. In a United Nations vote, 17 African countries abstained from voting on a resolution condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

Just like China, Russia hides the atrocities it commits on territories it controls and uses its clean record in Africa to try to influence the continent's people and governments.

It's necessary to consider that many African citizens, deprived of education, are unaware of issues preoccupying the world and of world history. Thus, for people unaware of China's long-standing persecution of the Uyghurs or Russia's bloody history, both powers can be preferred over Europe, compared to the West's past in Africa.

Considering that Russian cultural centers exist in eight countries on the continent, there are currently 17,000 African students in Russia (4,000 of them on scholarships), and an estimated 100,000 people across the continent speak Russian, Russia's influence on the continent becomes understandable.

Yes, Russia lacks the economic power to compete with the West and China, but it is advancing with confident steps in the military sphere. As France withdraws from the Sahel region and America's influence on the continent gradually decreases, Russia is leveraging every opportunity. Given that Africa is often prone to conflict, Russia's presence will need to be taken much more seriously.

This article was originally published in Independent Türkçe on 81 May 2023.