TRENDS ON THE GLOBAL POWERS INFLUENCE IN AFRICA: A CASE STUDY OF RUSSIA SINCE 1991

Abstract

ABSTRACT

International politics is a domain and circle of many intricacies, interests and competition over diverse national interests by global powers. Africa has been drawn into the orbit of these dynamics due to several factors, particularly its abundant natural and human resources. Against this background, this paper examines the trends of global power influence in Africa using Russia as a case study. Russia has been steadily pursuing policies that are bringing African countries into its orbit of influence in order to reassert its position on Africa in international politics since 1991. Some tangible and intangible policies Russia is employing to have its footprint in Africa include diplomatic initiatives, economic partnerships, hosting African Summits, and military cooperation, as well as using its private military services to secure its interests in Africa. African countries are gradually falling into Russia’s national interests by accepting Russian military assistance and incredible participation in African-Russian Summits and many other things. Russia's approaches to Africa are driven by several dynamics, including geopolitical considerations, economic interests, and counterbalancing Western and Asian interests. This relationship has now taken a new dimension, which Russia is leveraging in international negotiations and decision-making in the United Nations General Assembly, particularly regarding voting sessions on resolutions. Russia is a significant player in the African continent, to the detriment of Western interests. Although this relationship with Russia started in the pre-colonial era, it is more pronounced in the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. This study used historical and exploratory research approaches to trace the Russian foreign policy in Africa and systematically explain it because it has yet to be done. This shows a wide gap in our understanding of Russia in Africa as a global power influence.