Russia-Africa Summit: Putin Pushes To Deepen Ties With the Continent

Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcoming dozens of African leaders to Moscow for a summit intended to extend Russia’s reach across the continent.

Addressing delegates on Wednesday, Putin described Russia as Africa’s best partner and urged an end to Western dominance.

“The era when the destinies of entire continents were determined by a narrow bloc of states is coming to an irreversible end,” Putin said.

“It is being replaced by a more just world, in which the voices of all nations participating in international affairs must be heard.”

He charged the West with continuing to exploit Africa’s resources and with using debt as a tool to stall the continent’s development.

The two-day gathering, the third of its kind, has drawn delegations from 48 countries, among them 22 African heads of state.

Moscow is working to grow its political, economic and military presence in Africa, where its Africa Corps paramilitary fighters are still operating.

Putin argued that Africa is playing an ever larger role as a major force in global politics and the world economy.

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He also urged giving Africa a bigger say in decisions at the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group so that the institutions better serve the continent’s needs.

“The time has come to reform these organisations and refocus them on the specific needs and requirements of developing economies,” he said.

The African Union‘s current chair, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, is co-chairing the summit.

African leaders voiced backing for closer relations with Russia and compared its approach favourably with that of Western powers.

“Africa is seeking partners to strengthen its capacity to generate its own wealth,” said Ndayishimiye.

“We do not want to be consigned to exporting our raw materials only to then import the finished products at a high cost.”

Ndayishimiye added that African nations want a stake in the whole value chain, from production through to marketing, “so that the wealth created benefits our populations more effectively”.

Over the course of the two days, more than 40 sessions are scheduled, covering trade, investment, technology transfer, food and energy security, healthcare, education and youth exchange.