Russian President Vladimir Putin is following China's lead and making a splashy bid for influence in Africa, hosting the continent's leaders this week in the first-ever Russia-Africa Summit. Here is a look at Russia's growing military and business activities in Africa as it portrays itself as free from the past baggage of colonialism and slavery that haunt some traditional powers. "It will be naive to say Russia's return to Africa is not about geopolitics," Nigerian analyst Ovigwe Eguegu wrote Monday for The China Africa Project blog. The U.S. has bristled at Russia's growing presence, accusing Moscow of "seeking to increase its influence in the region through corrupt economic dealings" while unveiling Washington's Africa strategy last year. Devermont acknowledged that Russia's renewed focus on Africa threatens U.S. interests but he and other analysts say Washington should not overreact.

Source: ABC News October 21, 2019 12:04 UTC