Russia-Africa Partnership Under Scrutiny: Concerns Over Neocolonialism and Deceit

By Khwima Nkhonjera.

The first Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum has commenced in Sochi, Russia, with discussions extending beyond mere bilateral ties. A draft joint statement prepared for the summit has sparked controversy, with claims of cooperation that pro-democracy advocates argue are “misleading” or even “deceptive.”

The two-day event, organized by the Roscongress Foundation, aims to implement decisions made at the 2023 summit and bolster cooperation between Russia and African nations across sectors including politics, security, economics, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian affairs. However, some pro-democracy advocates see these partnerships as more beneficial to Russia than to African nations.

“The Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum is an important initiative that aims to intensify comprehensive cooperation between Russia and African countries in all its dimensions,” said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the Russian President.

Kobyakov highlighted the significance of the declaration adopted at the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit, which he claims established a new dialogue format for regular engagement with African nations.

“We firmly believe that the Ministerial Conference in Sochi will be an important step in developing cooperation between Russia and Africa,” he added.

The event is attended by key figures from both Russia and Africa, including African ministers, integration association heads, Russian and African business leaders, government representatives, financial institutions, experts, and media representatives.

In the draft joint statement, the Russia-Africa Forum reaffirms its commitment to opposing any form of “neo-colonialism” and exploitation of sovereign states. The statement highlights a shared intent to promote “genuine decolonization under the UN leadership” and commends Russia’s counterterrorism efforts in Africa, including the training of military and judicial personnel.

However, critics argue that these statements are laden with contradictions, pointing to Russia’s own alleged imperialistic practices in areas such as the Caucasus and Central Asia.

Human rights activist Andrea Ngombet, executive director of France-based Sassoufit Collective, expressed skepticism over Russia’s intentions, calling Russia a “European colonial superpower.” He noted that Russia’s involvement often aligns with authoritarian regimes and has led to human rights abuses in Africa, particularly referencing incidents like the Massacre in Moura, Mali.

“African countries aligned with Russia are neither safer nor richer; in fact, they are mostly on the brink of collapse,” Ngombet stated, criticizing Russia’s anti-Western stance as misleading. “African problems are interconnected with the world, and while African solutions are essential, they must be linked to the advancement of humankind,” he added.

The draft statement further addresses food security, acknowledging the need to enhance agricultural productivity in Africa and promote cooperation in this field. Russia has proposed hosting an international Food Safety Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2025, with participation from Russian food and fertilizer suppliers and African experts. The forum also applauds President Vladimir Putin’s initiative to donate grain to African nations in need, following his pledge at the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit.

However, critics point out that Russia’s claims about food security are hollow, as its actions—including its ongoing conflict with Ukraine—have contributed to the global grain crisis. Although Russia supplied 11.5 million tons of grain to Africa in 2022, this effort has been insufficient to counterbalance the disruptions in global food supply attributed to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Furthermore, the Forum celebrated the growing ties between Russian and African media. Several African journalists from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Zambia have participated in Russian educational programs aimed at enhancing journalistic skills.

Despite these cultural exchanges, the sincerity of Russia’s intentions has come into question as critics argue that Russian media influence in Africa often involves spreading disinformation to sway public opinion in favor of Moscow.

Since the 2019 Sochi Summit, Russia has increasingly invested in its relationship with Africa, harking back to Soviet-era alliances.

In 2019, Russia and Africa adopted a joint declaration that outlined a roadmap for cooperation, with 92 agreements valued at $12.5 billion. The 2023 St. Petersburg Summit further strengthened these ties, with a comprehensive 74-point declaration focusing on areas such as economic cooperation, political dialogue, scientific partnerships, and educational exchanges.

Russia also established 28 joint commissions with African countries to oversee trade and economic development, although none have completed infrastructure projects since the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991.

Russia has also sought to position itself as a key partner in addressing Africa’s energy shortages. In Egypt, Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is building the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, with a $25 billion loan covering 85% of construction costs.

Other African countries, including Algeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa, have signed nuclear cooperation agreements with Russia. However, South Africa’s nuclear agreement with Russia in 2015 was declared unconstitutional due to a lack of parliamentary approval, and the deal was further marred by corruption allegations.

Russia’s engagement with Africa remains a complex issue, marked by both opportunities and challenges. While Russia promotes itself as a partner against neo-colonialism, its critics argue that its actions reveal a more self-serving agenda, particularly through its influence over authoritarian regimes and its selective support for African nations.

Ngombet warns that Russia’s rhetoric about “universal norms” in conflict resolution and counterterrorism appears hypocritical when considering its role in conflicts around the world.

As the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum unfolds, the contradictions between Russia’s stated intentions and its actions cast a shadow over the proceedings.

While the conference presents a vision of mutual growth and support, pro-democracy advocates remain wary, viewing the partnership as a veiled attempt by Russia to expand its influence across the African continent.

The joint statement’s promises of cooperation in areas such as food security, media relations, and counterterrorism might be seen as constructive steps forward, but questions remain about whether these commitments will translate into meaningful outcomes for Africa—or simply serve as another chapter in Russia’s complex history of geopolitical maneuvering.

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