Shadows Over St. Petersburg: Unpacking the Failures of the Second Russia-Africa Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s grand promise of aid did little to obscure the tension simmering underneath the surface of the summit. The leaders who did attend remained largely unimpressed, brushing aside Putin’s charm offensive of grain donations and arms deals. Instead, they were uncharacteristically vocal in their criticism of Russia’s actions in Ukraine and their potential impact on global stability.
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, who did not attend the summit but sent his foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, expressed his concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its potential fallout on Africa in a statement. Buhari called on Russia to respect the sovereignty of Ukraine and de-escalate the conflict to maintain global peace and stability, a sentiment echoed by Onyeama at the summit.
Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, another notable absentee, was explicit in his condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. In his televised address, Kenyatta stated that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a clear breach of international law and threatened the peace and security of the world. He also expressed his concern over Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal, which he said threatened food security in Africa.
Among those who did attend, Burkina Faso’s President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré expressed his skepticism about Putin’s offer of free grain shipments. Kaboré stated, “While we appreciate the gesture, it is not a sustainable solution. What Africa needs is a reliable and predictable supply of grain, not ad-hoc charity. We urge Russia to reconsider its decision to exit the deal.” Kaboré’s comments reflected a broader sentiment of frustration with Russia’s actions.
Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, went a step further, rejecting Putin’s offer outright and terming it as ‘insulting’. “Zimbabwe is not a charity case,” Mnangagwa asserted, “We demand fair trade and respect. This war you wage is a threat to world peace and prosperity.”
Likewise, Mali’s President, Assimi Goïta, expressed his concerns about the serious consequences Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal would have on his country. Goïta pointed out that Mali, like many other African countries, is dependent on imports of grain and needs a stable and secure supply chain.
Furthermore, Putin’s attempts to deflect blame on the west for imposing sanctions on Russia and interfering in Africa’s affairs failed to gain traction among African leaders. South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, pointedly stated that, “the current global instability is primarily due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal.”
The current conflict in Ukraine and the associated geopolitical ramifications have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the summit.
In conclusion, one thing is certain: Africa has made it clear that it will not be a silent spectator in the changing dynamics of global geopolitics. As the continent continues to emerge as a significant player in the international arena, its voice, concerns, and interests are more important than ever.
