Many of Moscow’s moves in Africa reflect Russia’s resurgent foreign policy under President Vladimir Putin and his desire to return his country to great-power status. Competing with both the East (e.g., China and India) and the West (e.g., America and Europe) in Africa, Russia appears bent on becoming a powerful political player on the vast, strategic continent. For Russia, African energy producers are both competitors in the oil and natural gas fields, and potential partners in building nuclear power plants . The same is true for important commodities such as diamonds, which are produced uniquely and/or abundantly in Africa. In the political and economic arenas, American diplomats and businesspeople can compete well with their Russian counterparts in Africa.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 07, 2019 20:03 UTC