Putin throws in debt write-offs, free grains, neocol fight to woo Africa

By Onome Amuge.

Embattled Russian President Vladimir Putin has, in a new strategy to gain diplomatic alliance amid international isolation fueled by the lingering war against Ukraine, commenced a courtship affair with Africa.  Russia, in its “new initiative towards Africa”, has promised to offer debt write-offs, free grain supply, military support to boost the food,military and economic security of the world’s second largest continent by population.

The just concluded two-day summit attended by 17 African heads of state and at least 20 representatives including Vice President Kashim Shettima of Nigeria, in St. Petersburg, has been considered as a test of Russia’s support in Africa, where the world’s largest country seeks to retain and strengthen political and economic ties.

The Russian leader, in his address,argued that Russia is making every effort to avert a global food crisis despite concerns that its withdrawal from a deal allowing grain shipments from Ukraine will cause price spikes. He also noted that Western sanctions imposed over the war prevented Russia from supplying fertilizers to Africa.

“I have already said that our country can replace Ukrainian grain, both on a commercial basis and as grant aid to the neediest African countries, more so since we expect another record harvest this year,” he said.

Dwelling on how Russia intends to provide succour to African countries most affected by  the halted Black Sea grain deal, Putin promised large no-cost shipments of grains of about 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes to six African countries including  Burkina Faso, Mali,Zimbabwe, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Eritrea in four months’ time.

This, he explained, is to cushion the effect of food insecurity in these zones while working towards food sovereignty.

Putin hailed Africa’s growing role in global affairs,while assuring that Moscow will closely analyse a peace proposal for Ukraine that African leaders have sought to pursue.

The septuagenarian who has served continuously as prime minister/president since 1999, also announced a partnership with 40 African countries to strengthen their military capabilities.

According to him, African states received a wide range of weapons and technology, and related deliveries from Russia on a gratuitous basis with the aim of enhancing the security and sovereignty of the countries.

He stated that representatives from African countries have been invited to actively participate in Russia-organised military forums dealing with the technical aspects of the weapons and also manoeuvers to become familiar with the equipment and usage.

He noted that the partnership is to provide assistance to the countries in their efforts to free themselves from what he described as ”vestiges of colonialism.”

Putin added the leaders had agreed to improve cooperation on aid, energy and trade, including by “consistently switching to national currencies for commercial transactions.

He stated further that Russia plans to expand trade and economic ties with Africa and continue efforts to relieve their debt burden by writing off another $90 million in their debts.

Maurice Okoli, the president, Nigerian Community in Russia, has emphasised the need for Africa to leverage on Russia’s huge reservoir of goodwill to develop the continent.

Okoli, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), opined that an improved relationship between Russia and Africa would strengthen   comprehensive and equal cooperation between both parties. This, according to him, comprises all areas of society including politics, security, economic relations, science and technology, and the cultural and humanitarian spheres.

He observed that the world is changing with a lot of things happening, noting that Russia is a huge country that plays an important role in the world considering its big impact in the energy sector, fertilizer, grain technology and atomic energy.

The fellow at the Institute for African Studies and the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasised that Africa needs development, it needs partnership and new initiatives

According to Okoli, the eye of the world is in Africa as all the major powers are coming in for business, for influence, which is not surprising considering the continent’s abundance of resources and young population.

While appreciating the role played by Russia in Africa’s liberation movement, Okoli maintained that Africa must leverage on Russia’s goodwill  as the massive economic and political assistance remains relevant.

“When Africa was struggling for independence in the late 50s and early 60s, the Soviet Union created a very important role in providing massive economic and political assistance to the liberation movement across the African continent. So, by that single act Africa will never forget and has not forgotten,” he said.

On his part, Gabriel Aduda, permanent secretary, political and economic affairs office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said the summit has provided an opportunity for Nigeria to strengthen moves towards  resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Mill project and the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), which have been moribund for years.

Speaking at a sideline panel session themed “Russia–Africa: Prospects for Energy Cooperation,the permanent secretary said talks have been positive so far on the deals.

Aduda  explained that the focus of his discourse was to bring back Russian cooperation and partnership to resuscitate the plant that was already 94 per cent complete and bring it back on board.

“…we had a very long discussion with United Company (UC) RUSAL and we’re looking at the revitalisation of our aluminium plant in Nigeria that has been moribund for about upwards of 10 to 15 years.

“We think that engaging with UC RUSAL who have the expertise from this end will help us to develop that and bring the plant back on board,” he said.

Aduda expressed optimism that reviving the plant will lead to socioeconomic gains for both Nigeria and the Russian aluminium producer.

Though Russia’s latest attempt to consolidate and expand its economic relationship with Africa appears to be a favourable deal to the latter, analysts say that the actual impact and broader implications on global political and economic dynamics would depend on the actions taken by participating countries following the event.

Paul Melly,a consulting fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House in London, pointed out that while Russia currently lacks the resources to compete with the US, France, Germany and Japan or China as a bilateral development donor, it does have some cards to play.

“Last year it was probably Africa’s largest source of fertiliser, supplying 500,000 tonnes. It is also of course a significant power in oil, gas and mining. But the critically urgent trade sector right now remains grain,” he stated.

According to Melly, it will be difficult for Russia to significantly help Africa with desperately needed extra supplies and thus demonstrate its reliability as a partner unless there is a restored Black Sea deal that also allows Ukrainian shipments to flow.