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EXPERT COMMENT

Examining European discussions with African partners towards a new joint strategy for endorsement at the 6th European Union–African Union Summit in 2021.

These preparations by Europe need to provide a coherent African policy on security, immigration and climate change that goes beyond trade. This provides, at the very least, an opportunity for dialogue with the Russian Federation, which is also re-engaging in Africa.

The first Russia-Africa summit in Sochi in October 2019 was co-chaired by the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the Egyptian president and African Union chairman Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. It also attracted 43 heads of state or government and more than 6,000 participants and media representatives from Russia and 104 foreign countries and territories.

Resulting from the Sochi summit is the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which is tasked to prepare for the second Russia-Africa summit in 2022. At the G20 virtual summit held in late March, President Putin proposed the establishment of a special fund to help Africa and further stressed the necessity for information-sharing.

Some 30 African countries had requested Russian assistance for responding to COVID-19 – for example in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Comoros and Madagascar have received food supplies and South Africa has received testing kits.

The reality is the COVID-19 economic impact will have knocked back significantly Moscow’s Africa ambitions and this will result in a greater niche focus on key countries such as South Africa. Moscow also virtually hosted the 12th BRICS summit this November and is looking for deepened defence and nuclear partnership with Pretoria despite a significant setback following the demise of Jacob Zuma.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.