Putin to host Russia-Africa summit, signals Russia's return to Africa

To re-establish Russia's influence on the African content, President Vladimir Putin will host dozens of African leaders next week. Heads of nearly 35 African countries are reportedly expected for the first Africa-Russia Summit scheduled in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on October 23 and 24. It is also after decades of absence that Russia is once again interested in Africa. Moreover, Moscow's return to Africa has also reportedly generated media, governmental, and civil society attention. However, the President's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov said that Russia had always been present in Africa which is a very important continent.

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'Mutually beneficial cooperation'

According to Peskov, Russia has many things to offer in terms of mutually beneficial cooperation to African countries. During the Soviet era, even though Africa never had a colonial power, Moscow still had a crucial role to play. Russia had backed the African independence movements and training a whole generation of African leaders. The remnants of Russian influence are still there, the Kalashnikov rifle on the flag of Mozambique, the hammer-and-sickle style gear machete on the flag of Angola. Reportedly, the leaders of former Soviet client states like Angola and Ethiopia will also be at the Africa-Russia Summit. After strengthening its influence in the Middle East, the Russian President is apparently playing 'catch-up' with the continent. Russian-based companies have also invested in oil and gas in Egypt and Nigeria, in diamonds in Angola, and inmetals in Guinea along with South Africa. 

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Pivot towards Africa

According to an expert at Moscow's Institute for African Studies and former ambassador in Burkina Faso and Mali, this forum has also signaled a decisive pivot towards America. The ties between both countries had declined with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, in recent years, China has evolved as a key foreign power for Africa. Moreover, when the burden of global ambitions increased for the Soviet economy, Africa was abandoned by Moscow nearly three decades ago. Apart from the appearances of globally-minded businessmen, Russian activity in Africa was negligible. Now the Africa-Russia Summit will be co-chaired by Egyptian President, and African Union Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who according to President Putin is an ally. 

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(With input from agencies)