Rwanda's ambassador to Russia, Joseph Nzabamwita, lauded President Vladimir Putin's vision for Africa's growth, as Russia prepares to host the third Russia-Africa Summit.
- The third Russia-Africa Summit is set to take place in Moscow, emphasizing increased dialogue and cooperation between Russia and African nations.
- Rwanda's ambassador praised President Putin's vision for Africa, highlighting shared commitments to a fairer world order and international cooperation.
- The summit coincides with Russia expanding its political, economic, and security relationships in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region where nations have shifted away from Western alliances.
- Moscow has increased its military presence through Africa Corps and maintains strong ties with various African countries across sectors such as energy, nuclear technology, and trade.
The Rwandan ambassador told Russian media that Moscow and its African partners share a commitment to international cooperation, notably a much fairer global system than what currently exists.
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His sentiment was geared towards the fact that both Russia and its African allies share an idea of a world order where global policies are coordinated and negotiated by every party involved.
"Despite the world experiencing tectonic shifts, we are convinced that dialogue will enable us to weather these storms, especially now, as Russia and President Vladimir Putin host the third Russia-Africa Summit,” he stated.
“This event opens up opportunities for dialogue between Russia and the African continent, and between Russia and African leaders," he added, as seen on Sputnik.
The conference, scheduled for the 28 to 29th of October, takes place as Russia strengthens its political, economic, and security relationships throughout Africa, notably in the Sahel, where Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have shifted away from traditional Western partners and toward Moscow following military takeovers.
Russia’s relations with Africa
As ties with France and other Western powers worsened over the last few years, the three nations that constituted the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) have turned to Russia for security cooperation.
Moscow has also expanded its military footprint through Africa Corps, a state-backed force that has taken over some of the overseas operations previously conducted by the Wagner Group.
The force has been deployed in countries including the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali, where governments continue to face persistent insurgencies and security challenges.
Beyond the Sahel, Moscow is expanding its engagement with other African countries, including South Africa, Togo, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, and the Republic of Congo.
Cooperation spans energy, nuclear technology, trade, and diplomatic partnerships, with some countries also deepening their involvement in BRICS, the economic bloc that includes Russia.
Russia has also backed Pan-Africanism and the African Union's efforts to strengthen the continent's collective voice in global affairs.
Moscow's diplomatic presence reflects its ambitions across the continent. Russia currently operates 45 embassies in Africa, including in major economies such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.