By John Ikani
Russian President Vladimir Putin has disclosed that his country has forged significant military cooperation agreements with over 40 African nations.
Putin made the disclosure on Friday during the second and final day of the second Russia-Africa Summit.
“We are developing partnerships in military and military-technical cooperation with more than 40 African states to strengthen the defence capabilities of the continent’s countries,” said Putin.
According to him, the agreements encompass a diverse array of weapons and technology, with some being provided on a gratuitous basis to enhance the security and sovereignty of the recipient countries.
He went on to note that, “some of the deliveries are provided on a gratuitous basis with the aim of enhancing the security and sovereignty of the countries.”
Putin also reiterated Russia’s commitment to supporting African nations in their pursuit of freedom from the “vestiges of colonialism.”
He added that Russia will continue to replace Ukraine as a reliable grain supplier for Africa.
More on Russia’s charm offensive in Africa
Russia has been actively involving African representatives in military forums, enabling them to grasp the technical aspects of the weaponry and conduct manoeuvres to familiarize themselves with the equipment’s efficient use.
As part of this effort, Putin extended an invitation to African countries to actively participate in Russia-organized military forums, where they can become acquainted with the equipment and its use.
Beyond military ties, Russia aims to solidify its presence in Africa by increasing its diplomatic presence.
This includes the establishment of new consulates and embassies while bolstering staff in existing diplomatic representations.
The surplus of available personnel is a result of around 600 Russian representatives leaving Western countries amid tensions, partly due to suspicions of espionage by EU states.
Throughout the summit, President Putin engaged in fruitful discussions with African heads of state and governments, dispelling any notions of Russia’s international isolation.
Despite slightly lower representation compared to the inaugural summit in 2019, with 49 out of 54 African countries in attendance and only 17 being heads of state or government, the event marks a remarkable step forward in Russia’s commitment to building lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with African nations.
