Russia woos African leaders at Moscow summit

MOSCOW: Russia will host almost two dozen African leaders at a summit in Moscow on Wednesday and Thursday, aiming to strengthen ties with nations seen as natural allies against the West. The Russia-Africa summit, the third since 2019, comes amid heavy Western sanctions on Russia following its Ukraine offensive and as Moscow provides security assistance to several African governments.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov emphasized the summit's importance in building a multipolar world order, where political power is no longer concentrated in the West.

Delegations from 48 African countries are scheduled to attend, with 22 represented by their leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to meet with Malian President Assimi Goita, whose government has turned to Russian paramilitaries to combat a jihadist offensive. Mali, which went from being a French colony to a Russian ally in recent years, will also seek to strengthen its diplomatic presence in Africa. The summit will feature plenary sessions for all heads of delegations to speak.

Tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, both sending delegations, will also be on the agenda. DRC President Felix Tshisekedi will attend, while Rwanda's prime minister, Justin Nsengiyumva, will represent the country. Russia, which welcomes thousands of African students annually to its universities, will focus on strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing its diplomatic presence on the continent.

Plans are in place to open a 49th embassy in Liberia, bringing Russia's total to 48 embassies on the African continent.