Russia-Africa Relations

Two recent studies shed considerable light on Russia's relations with Africa.  The first is "Russian Interests in Sub-Saharan Africa" published by the Strategic Studies Institute at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The author is Keir Giles, director of the new Conflict Studies Research Centre, which provides analysis for the UK Ministry of Defense.

Source: SSI

The study explains that Russian trade with Sub-Saharan Africa is significantly underdeveloped with the exception of the arms trade. Russia and the United States have a shared interest in restricting the freedom of movement of terrorist organizations in Africa, which opens the potential for cooperation between the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Russian presence in the region.

The second study is titled "Russia as a Humanitarian Aid Donor" published by Oxfam UK. The authors are Anna Brezhneva and Daria Ukhova. Humanitarian aid includes emergency response activities such as material relief, food aid, and support services, incorporating related logistics, distribution, and coordination, but not extended to humanitarian action implying deeper involvement such as reconstruction, disaster, prevention and preparedness.

The paper examines Russia's institutional arrangements for humanitarian aid provision; the types and volumes of aid sent; the recipients of this aid; the differences and similarities between Russia and the other members of the two main global donor groups -- the G8 and the BRICS countries; and the Russian government's and public's perceptions of the country's role as a donor. Russia has been a modest provider of humanitarian aid, providing about $196 million from 2007 until 2013. Only about 20 percent of this aid has gone to Africa.