Russia and African parliamentarians continue to forge solidarity against growing neo-colonial tendencies in Africa. Long before their symbolic meeting, the parliamentarians intensified political dialogue and declared their support for the war waged by Russia against neighboring Ukraine, while declaring their readiness to support the economic development of Africa.
Russia is under severe economic sanctions from the United States and Europe due to the “special military operation” it launched in February 2022, more than a year ago, and which had negative repercussions on Africa. It has also divided Africa’s vote at the United Nations, with some experts believing that such sharp divisions, in terms of votes for or against, abstention or neutrality, could affect Africa’s unity within the from the continent.
Some political pundits still expect the 2023 Russia-Africa summit to be highly symbolic, given that official working visits have become more frequent and Africa receives more coverage in Russian media. Instead of measuring the success of the summit by the presence of African leaders, as happened in 2019, the parties are paying greater attention to the substance of the agenda, which is in course of development. Russia should try to increase its presence in Africa while avoiding direct confrontation with other non-regional and foreign actors.
According to experts, the efforts made by Russia so far do not yield tangible results. Russia needs to open its doors more to African visitors and tourists, who could bring together all those who are interested in developing an inclusive dialogue and all those who are ready to help promote initiatives that can increase socio-economic development. economic relationship between Russia and African states and to improve the welfare of their citizens.
However, undeterred by US pressure to “cancel Russia” in relations, African parliamentarians arrived in Moscow for a two-day working meeting to methodically develop Russian-African relations in various fields. Besides political dialogue, they also focus on economic, cultural, humanitarian and scientific cooperation.
According to the plan, Russian parliamentarians and their African colleagues set topical issues on the international parliamentary agenda for discussion: parliamentary support for scientific and educational cooperation, legislative response to economic challenges, indivisible security: capacities and contributions of parliaments, and the neo-colonialism of the West: how to prevent history from repeating itself.
On March 20, the main conference titled “Russia-Africa in the Multipolar World” was held in the State Duma (the Hall of Pillars of the House of Trade Unions). More than 40 official parliamentary delegations from almost all African countries have already arrived at the conference. Representatives of scientific, educational and expert communities of Russia and African countries, members of the State Duma, federal executive authorities, senators of the Federation Council, chairmen of legislative bodies of constituent entities of the Russian Federation.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin and Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa’s Parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula had a bilateral meeting at the State Duma. The President stressed that the Republic greatly values the dialogue with Russia.
President Volodin noted that attempts by Washington and Brussels to isolate Africa and Russia have failed. He is convinced that parliaments can do a lot to develop relations based on the principles of respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of other States and mutually beneficial cooperation.
He stressed that relations between Russia and the Republic of South Africa are developing thanks to cooperation between the presidents of the two states. “We have great capacities and we should use the parliamentary dimension to do everything in our power to strengthen our cooperation in various fields,” Mr. Volodin added. He suggested the preparation and signing of an agreement between the State Duma and the National Assembly of the South African Parliament, as well as the creation of a high-level commission. Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula supported this suggestion.
Mapisa-Nqakula thanked Vyacheslav Volodin for inviting him to participate in the parliamentary conference, adding: “It is very important for us that Russia gives priority to the African continent. Many countries see Africa as a great opportunity to obtain African resources. But given the history of our cooperation, we believe, like many other African countries, that Russia has other more real interests in Africa”.
“Our cooperation started several decades ago. And we felt your support in the worst times of our history, during apartheid. We understand that Russia is currently going through a difficult period. But I would like to assure you that South Africa will continue its cooperation, discuss the areas of cooperation that are important to us. We look forward to the start of this cooperation,” said Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
Speakers also addressed issues of cooperation within the framework of the BRICS, of which South Africa holds the presidency. “For us, cooperation between parliaments within the framework of BRICS is very important, because we can discuss issues of common interest,” stressed the Speaker of the National Assembly of the South African Parliament.
“Our conference will be an important step in the process of preparing for the second Russia-Africa summit, which should be held in St. Petersburg this summer with the participation of heads of state,” concluded the speaker of the State Duma.
According to reports tracked by this author, there are 17 specialized working groups that focus on various areas of cooperation between Russia and Africa. These working groups should propose useful initiatives to be integrated into a 2023-2026 action plan and consolidate all relations between Russia and African countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will speak at the Russia-Africa parliamentary conference on Monday, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters. “On March 20, when the president receives the Chinese leader, he will address the second Russia-Africa parliamentary conference,” said Ushakov, who heads the summit’s organizing committee, adding that the event would pave the way. at the second Russia-Africa summit, scheduled for July 27 and 28 in Saint Petersburg, Russia’s second largest city.
