Cooperation between Russia and Africa to provide leadership in a new world order is long overdue, given their shared experience of suffering under Western hegemony, Ahmed Moustafa, Director of Asia Center for Studies and Translation, has claimed.
In an interview with RT, Moustafa argued that, while Russia and China are currently leading the emergence of a multipolar order from “one side,” “South-East” unity is also crucial.
Western sanctions imposed on Moscow over the years, as well as African nations’ continued indebtedness to the West, give reason for Russia and the continent to “play together” against Western control, he added.
“Despite long colonial relations between Africa and the West, [Africa] didn’t get anything, same as Russia” he pointed out. All Africa got from its relationship with the West was an “indebtedness” totaling “more than $400 billion,” which, he added, was now a “great problem” for the continent.
Almost 50 delegations are currently in St. Petersburg for the second Russia-Africa summit, which opened on Thursday.
According to Kremlin officials, the summit will address, among other things, the issue of food and fertilizer exports to the African continent, as well as bilateral discussions with its leaders.