Russia’s expansion in Africa makes up for sanctions-induced losses

Mahmud al-Batakoshi

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.