Russia strengthens African ties with new embassies plan
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the opening of a new department focused on African partnerships. The goal is to strengthen cooperation with African countries. As part of this strategy, Russia plans to open embassies in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Togo, South Sudan, Niger, and the Comoros.
The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergey Lavrov, announced during the launch of the new department that Russia is returning to Africa. He explained that previous neglect was due to the financial challenges of the Soviet Union and the pro-Western political orientation of the newly formed Russia. Now, as he stated, Moscow wants to correct these mistakes.
"There were several reasons for the weakening of our ties and interest in the African continent. One of them was the difficult financial situation of the Soviet Union and the newly independent states that emerged from it, including the Russian Federation. It was absolutely hopeless. We had to close our embassies to save money allocated for foreign policy," he argued.
As part of reopening to Africa, Russia plans to soon reopen embassies that were closed years ago in Liberia, neighboring Sierra Leone, Gambia, Togo, Niger, the Comoros, and South Sudan.
Changes in relations with Russia
Liberia, which for years refused to allow Russia to open an embassy, changed its stance after the 2023 elections. The new administration of President Joseph Boakai expressed readiness to strengthen ties with Russia. However, the opposition Congress for Democratic Change warns of a potential threat to the country's stability.
Russia is not limited to opening embassies. In November of last year, it sent military instructors to Equatorial Guinea and earlier signed a military cooperation agreement with Cameroon. These actions aim to bolster the Russian presence on the continent.
Strategic goals
Russia seeks to gain access to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Countries such as Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Liberia, and Togo are strategically significant due to their coastal locations. The Comoros can provide access to the western part of the Indian Ocean, where India and China are competing.
Russia is already extracting gold and diamond deposits in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and the Central African Republic. New partnerships could increase its influence in a region rich in natural resources.
