On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of war in Ukraine, the Atlantic Council and Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) will present their twin reports: “Russia’s influence in Africa, a security perspective” by Sarah Daly and Abdelhak Bassou.
The outbreak of the war in Ukraine has placed a spotlight on Russia-Africa relations and subsequent implications on the global geopolitical stage. In the March 2022 UN General Assembly vote to condemn Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, seventeen African nations abstained. This vote, coupled with the growing influence of BRICS (chaired this year by South Africa), has sent a clear signal to the West that Russia is a strong competitor that has deep-rooted and strategic ties on the African Continent.
With the withdrawal of French Barkhane and European Tabuka forces, the growing role of the mercenary Wagner group in the Sahel marks a major change in the region; meanwhile, the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine are worsening the humanitarian situation on the ground by increasing energy prices and ongoing food insecurity.
In the present state of the war between Russia and Ukraine, it is premature to assess the effect of such a war on military cooperation relations between Russia and Africa. Nevertheless, considering recent developments in this war, it is reasonable to anticipate several African questions on the sustainability of Afro-Russian cooperation in military matters.
Report excerpt
Following the recent US-Africa Leaders Summit, a Russia-Africa Summit is due to take place after a four year hiatus. During the American summit, the Biden administration announced plans to invest $55 billion in Africa over the next three years. What are Russia’s goals in Africa and what are African expectations of this relationship? What will be the United States’ answer to Russian influence in Africa? What kind of cooperation should be set up with French and European allies?
Join us as we discuss the next steps in the new geopolitical order where Africa will be a major player in geopolitics and security aspects on Tuesday, February 21 at 9:00am ET by registering below.
AGENDA
9:00am
Keynote remarks
Fred Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council
Karim El Aynaoui, President, Policy Center for the New South
Dialogue with report authors
Authors:
Sarah Daly, Nonresident Fellow, Atlantic Council’s Africa Center
Abdelhak Bassou, Fellow, Policy Center for the New South
9:10am
9:30am
Keynote speaker
TBD
Expert discussion
Moderated by:
Amb. Rama Yade, Africa Center Director, Atlantic Council
9:40am
10:15am
Audience Q&A
Closing keynote remarks
Franklin D. Kramer, Atlantic Council Board Member, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
10:25am
10:30am