Category: Africa

JRL NEWSWATCH: “The West Must Defeat Russia. Putin hasn’t given up his plans. He thinks Ukraine’s allies will lose interest.” – The Atlantic

Africa, Europe, EU, Headlines, Iran, Israel, Gaza, Hamas, Palestine, JRL NewsBlog, Middle East, North Africa, Military, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
European Portion of Commonwealth of Independent States

“… Ukraine, the United States, and the [EU] … [w]orking together … have not only preserved the Ukrainian state, but stood up to a bully whose nihilism harms the entire world. Putin backs far-right and extremist movements in Europe, provides thugs to support African dictatorships, and colludes with China, Iran, Venezuela, and other autocracies. … Putin hoped the war would […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Isolated from West, Russia looks to Africa as land of opportunity” – Christian Science Monitor/ Fred Weir

Africa, Agriculture, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Headlines, JRL NewsBlog
Africa Map

“Shunned by the West over its war in Ukraine, Russia is looking to Africa to find new international partners. And, lacking colonial history on the continent, Moscow is finding a more welcoming audience.” “… [A] military coup in the Sahel nation of Niger, supported by crowds waving Russian flags, … [overthrew] yet another pro-Western African leader … attempting to curb […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Ukraine’s Appeals to Europe Can Alienate Others; Rhetoric about ‘European civilization’ clashes with anti-colonial ideals.” – Foreign Policy

Africa, Chechnya, Dagestan, North Caucasus, Europe, EU, Headlines, History, Soviet Union, JRL NewsBlog, JRL Tables of Contents, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Europe Map

“… Ukrainian pleas for military aid, financial support, and eventual membership in the European Union and NATO have often used the language of Europe and of European civilization. … Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is fighting for the ‘European way of life,’ founded upon ‘rules, values, equality, and fairness.’ This is a powerful idea for Ukrainians, but one that can be […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Experts react: What the Prigozhin plane crash reveals about Putin, the Wagner Group’s future, and the war in Ukraine” – Atlantic Council

Africa, Assassinations, Beatings, Threats, Headlines, JRL NewsBlog, Military, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections
Yevgeny Prigozhin file photos, adapted from images at fbi.gov

“… Prigozhin … was reportedly killed in a plane crash … with nine other passengers … traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg, according to Russian authorities and Wagner-affiliated Telegram groups. Some reports have indicated that the plane was downed by Russian air defenses. Just hours earlier, General … Surovikin, who allegedly had advance knowledge of the Wagner mutiny and had […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin Promises Free Grain at Africa Summit” – AFP/ Moscow Times

Africa, Agriculture, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Headlines, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Wheat in Field, adapted from image at usda.gov

“… Putin … offered free grain to six poor African countries as he launched a summit with leaders from the continent days after withdrawing from the Ukraine grain export deal. The two-day summit in Putin’s native St. Petersburg [was] being scrutinized as a test of his support in Africa, where he retains support despite international isolation sparked by his military […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Putin Hosts African Leaders as Grain Deal Collapse Threatens Food Security” – Bloomberg

Africa, Agriculture, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Headlines, Human Rights, International Law, JRL NewsBlog, Military, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Africa Map

“Russia blames U.S. ‘pressure’ for absences at Africa summit Summit takes place after Russia quit Black Sea grain deal” “… Putin [met] African leaders 10 days after Russia ended the Ukraine grain-export deal brokered by the [UN] and Turkey that had ensured safe passage of almost 33 million tons of crops via the Black Sea, helping to cool surging world […]

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RUSSIALINK: “Ideology, Money or Freedom? Why Fighters from the Global South Join Russia’s Army in Ukraine” – Moscow Times

Africa, Headlines, Military, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Africa Map

(Moscow Times – Leyla Latypova, Vivianne Wandera – June 13, 2023) The family of Tanzanian-born Nemes Raymond Taremo first heard rumors that their beloved relative had been killed on the frontlines in faraway Ukraine in December last year. They received their last message from Taremo, 37, two months earlier — on Oct. 17 — shortly after he joined Russia’s Wagner […]

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Russia in Review, May 5-12, 2023: 7 Things to Know

Africa, Canada, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Environment, Europe, EU, Headlines, Human Rights, Life in Russia, Culture, Arts, Nuclear Energy, Oil, Gas, Energy, Politics, Government, Protests, Elections, Sanctions, Spies, Spy Allegations, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations

(Russia Matters – russiamatters.org) Moscow blaming West at every turn: Vladimir Putin attacked the West on May 9, claiming that Russia’s future depended on the outcome of the war in Ukraine, as he attended a slimmed-down military parade to mark victory over Nazi Germany in WWII, MT reports. “A real war has once again been unleashed against our motherland,” he […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “A continent divided over response to war: Ukraine: the view from Africa” – Le Monde Diplomatique

Africa, Europe, EU, Headlines, JRL NewsBlog, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War, United Nations, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Africa Map

“The UN General Assembly’s 2 March 2022 resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and calling for … immediate withdrawal … was adopted by … 141 votes out of 193[]. However … 17 of the 35 countries that abstained – and one that voted against – were African, and eight African countries did not vote at all. …. European commentators’ simplistic […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russian foreign minister seeks to bolster alliances during Africa tour” – Financial Times

Africa, Arms Trade, Military Aid, Headlines, JRL NewsBlog, Middle East, North Africa, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Egyptian Pyramids, Camel in Foreground, Men in Background, adapted from image at state.gov

“Sergei Lavrov aims to combat idea that Ukraine invasion has caused higher food and fertiliser prices.” “… Lavrov’s tour of Egypt, Republic of Congo, Uganda and Ethiopia comes as African countries struggle with soaring food and fertiliser prices. … [T]he west has sought to isolate Moscow over [Ukraine]… [yet] the welcome [Lavrov] has received has shown the strength of [Russia’s] […]

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RUSSIALINK: “Foreign Policy Experts Map Russia’s Plans for 2022” – Moscow Times

Afghanistan, Africa, Arctic, Belarus, Central Asia, China, Europe, EU, Latin America, Middle East, North Africa, NATO
Satellite

The Moscow Times asked 10 commentators for their predictions for the coming year […]

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RUSSIALINK: “Foreign Policy Experts Map Russia’s Plans for 2021” – Moscow Times

Africa, Arctic, Armenia, Azerbaijan, South Caucasus, Belarus, Europe, EU, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Turkey, Ukraine, Russo-Ukrainian War
Satellite Image of Earth in Style of Mercator Map, adapted from image at nasa.gov

We asked 10 experts to predict what Russia has in store for the world next year. (Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Pjotr Sauer – Jan. 4, 2021) Russia had to tread a fine foreign policy line in 2020. The country’s near abroad was rocked by unprecedented unrest as uprisings in Kremlin-friendly Kyrgyzstan and Belarus and war in the Caucasus challenged […]

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Russia Bets Big On The World’s Least Explored Oil Frontier

Africa, Oil, Gas, Energy
Africa Map

(Oilprice.com – Viktor Katona – January 10, 2020) When the inaugural Russia-Africa summit was held in October 2019, most industry observers believed that the majority of projects under discussion would not get past the FID stage – in no small part because of their varied economic prospects. As well as wheat exports, nuclear technologies, conventional weaponry and ore mining, oil […]

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RUSSIALINK: “At Russia’s Inaugural Africa Summit, Moscow Sells Sovereignty; The two-day event this week featured 43 African heads of state” – Moscow Times

Africa, Media, Internet, Social Media, Television
Africa Map

(Moscow Times – themoscowtimes.com – Evan Gershkovich – SOCHI, Oct. 26, 2019) Last winter, the head of Ghana’s state news agency received a message: Russia’s ambassador to the West African country wanted the agency to discuss a partnership with TASS, its Russian counterpart. For many years, Albert Kofi Owusu said the world had thought negatively about Russia, a perception he […]

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Oil, Military And Nuclear Tech: Russia’s Influence In Africa

Africa, Arms Trade, Military Aid, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade, Nuclear Energy, Oil, Gas, Energy
Africa Map

(Oilprice.com – Vanand Meliksetian – Oct. 17, 2019) Virtually all great powers have set their eyes on Africa as the continent’s global importance grows. Its population is set to double by 2050 and its economy is expected to expand significantly alongside its energy consumption. It is these projections that have driven Russia to invest heavily in strong relations in the […]

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‘Make Africa Safe’: Russia’s Competitive Advantage in Sub-Saharan Africa

Africa
Africa Map

(Jamestown Foundation – jamestown.org – Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 16 Issue: 127 – Sergey Sukhankin – September 18, 2019) On October 23-24, the southwestern Russian resort city of Sochi will host the first ever Russia-Africa Summit (Ravision2030.com, accessed September 14). Sharing his expectations of the upcoming event, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov underscored its “pivotal importance” and “unprecedented nature.” […]

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JRL NEWSWATCH: “Russia in Africa: Is it becoming a key player?” – BBC/ Kumar Malhotra

Africa, JRL NewsBlog
Africa Map

“Russia’s recent activities in Sudan and the Central African Republic have been the subject of intense speculation. … along with renewed economic ties, private Russian military contractors are reported to have been active in both countries. … particularly sensitive in Sudan, where there have been widespread, often violent anti-government protests. Moscow has been increasingly turning its attention to sub-Saharan Africa, […]

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RUSSIALINK: “Russia has trained over 1,000 troops in CAR, more instructors to go there – Foreign Ministry” – Interfax

Africa, Military
Africa Map

MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) – Moscow is planning to send an additional 60 Russian military instructors to the Central African Republic (CAR), and more than 1,000 CAR troops have already completed training, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website. “Over 1,000 Central African servicemen have been trained to date. We intend to continue to provide Bangui […]

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NEWSLINK The National Interest/Eugene Steinberg: “Revealed: Russia’s Mighty Pivot to Africa”

Africa, Foreign Policy, Security, Visas, Newslinks
Africa Map

Russia’s interests in Africa are manifold. As economic sanctions constrict its trade with the West, Africa is becoming an increasingly attractive investment opportunity. At the same time, Africa’s fifty-four countries represent a political opportunity to relieve Russia’s isolation and build support for its actions in the UN. Finally, Russia’s prominence in Africa lends credibility to its reassertion of world power […]

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RBTH: Can Moscow bet on ‘Trump card’ in U.S.?; Obama takes Africa for a tango; Kyrgyzstan casts its lot in with Russia

Africa, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
File Photo of White House with South Lawn and Fountain

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Sergey Strokan, Vladimir Mikheev, special to RBTH – July 30, 2015) RBTH presents its weekly analytical program TROIKA REPORT, featuring a look at three of the most high-profile recent developments in international affairs 1. Engaging the West U.S. presidential race: Can Moscow bet on ‘Trump card’? The meteoric rise of eccentric billionaire Donald […]

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Interfax: Moscow says Senegal promises to give materials confirming violations of fishing regulations by Russian boat

Africa
Africa Satellite Image Map

MOSCOW. Jan 9 (Interfax) – The Senegalese authorities have promised to provide Russia with materials confirming repeated violations of fishing regulations in the exclusive economic zone of Senegal by the crew of Russia’s Oleg Naydyonov vessel, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “On January 8 the meeting of the Russian Ambassador to Senegal and Senegalese Foreign Minister, Mankeur Ndiaye, took place […]

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Russia Beyond the Headlines: Mandela and the Soviet Union: The struggle against apartheid

Africa
Africa Satellite Image Map

(Russia Beyond the Headlines – rbth.ru – Ajay Kamalakaran, RBTH – December 6, 2013) As the world mourns the death of the great statesman, RBTH looks back at the role Russia and the Soviet Union played in the struggle against apartheid. When Nelson Mandela turned 95 in July, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave one of the most glowing tributes to […]

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Russian Envoy: US, EU Monopoly in Africa Coming to an End

Africa, Europe, EU, United States, U.S.-Russian Relations
Africa Satellite Image Map

(RIA Novosti – March 19, 2013) The Russian president’s special envoy for cooperation with African countries, Mikhail Margelov, has said that the US, EU monopoly in the African states was coming to an end as “the new players, that is BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), have stepped in”, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported him as saying on […]

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Russian diplomat warns of terror threat in Syria, Algeria, Mali

Africa, Middle East, North Africa, Syria, Terrorism
Syria Map

(Interfax – Moscow, 1 February) The events in Syria, Algeria and Mali are interrelated and demonstrate the multi-faceted nature of the modern terrorist threat, Aleksandr Zmeyevskiy, the Russian president’s special representative on international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and transnational organized crime, has said. “Al-Qa’idah and its partners in this unsavoury business seriously intend to take power in states. […]

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It’s time for Africa: In a new scramble for the continent, Russia doesn’t have to be an outsider

Africa, Economy, Business, Investment, Trade
Africa Satellite Image

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com – Tai Adelaja – Dec. 17, 2012) Suddenly, a new scramble for Africa is gaining momentum. The saving grace this time around is that the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India, China and since 2011, South Africa) are leading the charge. The Chinese have long dug in their heels, spending billions of dollars to boost economies and […]

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