The 23rd and 24th of October a Russia-Africa summit took place in Sotchi. 43 african head of states accepted the invitation of their host Vladimir Poutine.
Russia’s complicated history with Europ
From worshipping divinities and human sacrifices, the place of mysticism was taken over by Christianity in the late 10th century when the slavish people came into contact with the Byzantine Empire. They adopted their architecture, religion and cultures.
Between 1012 and 1054, the country opened itself to Europe, with the Princes marrying their daughters into Europeans royal family. This contact with Europe will be later accentuated under Peter the Great.
15th century: Peter the Great and Catherine II the capital became St Petersburg in 1703, “the window to Europe”.
1825: After the December insurrection, Nicolas 1st comes in power. He does not trust the Western Europeans and fear them. A climate of defiance is dominating the atmosphere, but awakening in literature with Pouchkine, Gogol and Tolstoy.
1917: The royal family captured, Tsar Nicolas II abdicated and is eliminated
1917-1953: Communism reigns under Staline in URSS
Khroutchev: target the West, with propaganda not military forces Gorbatchev: glasnost and peretroiska 1991: end of URSS
Between Westernization and Nationalism
The case of Cote d’Ivoire and Russia
A window to Europe was opened when Peter the Great I came into power. Russia’s adoption of western values was deliberate and chosen by the czar; in Cote d’Ivoire as in most colonized territories these values were imposed.
The elite were westernized just like the Russian nobility in the 18th century. In Russia, looking west was seen as being more beneficial and modern than turning East toward Asia. At the beginning of the 19th century, a nationalist momentum arose because of the Napoleonic wars. Two ideologies were opposing each other:
Slavophilia: Peter the Greats reforms were a violation of the national principles which are based on tradition and orthodoxy Occidentalism: these reforms and the western model contribute to the Awakening of Russia.
Slavery
17th century: riots everywhere
Only 10% of serfs are free in 1678. Abolition of privileges of the nobility overshadow by harder work condition for the slaves. Slavery existed also in several African countries, among them Cote d’Ivoire prior to the arrival of the European in the 17thcentury. The abolition of slavery came in 1848 for CI, and 1861 in Russia under Alexander II.
Tartars occupation
Gengis Khan and the Mongol
Russians have through their history experienced invasion and occupation. With the Tatars under the authority of Genghis Khan, they were occupied for two centuries, and missed the 15th century Renaissance. They quickly did their best to recover from their economic and cultural lateness. There was, however, in 1894 the philosophe Soloviov announced that a second Mongol invasion will take place. Ten years later the Russo-Japanese war starts.
It is interesting to highlight that their occupation was not cultural, they just wanted taxes from the people and there are no trace of the tartars in Russian civilization. This is obviously not the case of Cote d’Ivoire and the French colonization.
Russian presence :
- Military bases are present in other countries in Africa.
- Mali – Russia , relationship were strong and the population is asking the Russians to come to intervene militarily against the terrorism and want the retreat of the French and UN troops.
- Centre afrique : when there was a void after the departure of the French, military Russian presence came
Russia’s proposition : New architectural security model that proposes new strategies to fight against the terrorism.
The most sallient regional issue right now in west africa is insecurity. Several terrorist and jihadist groups are killing, looting and destroying towns and villages. The instability in North Mali, Burkina Faso or Niger is threatening also Cote d’Ivoire. The G5 Sahel, Nouackchott process and other organizations and initiatives created locally to fight against the terrorists have not achieve their goals. Help from French and UN forces have not been that effective either.
Recently, Russia has taken over in Syria after the departure of the American troops and a few days later Baghdadi; head of IS was killed.
Russia is known for its military power and suceess. But will this exchange bring any development ? Is it enough?
Balance of power
Case of Cote d’Ivoire
A radio program called ‘Tout feu, tout flamme’ on RADIO JAM in Cote d’Ivoire that discusses currents events had for theme: the summit Russia-Africa
The Ivorian population called to share their opinions and impressions on the summit.
It is humiliating to have a country-continent summit , it is disminishing to believe that a country can trade and be put at the same level as a whole diverse continent.
How is it possible that heads of states even participated to this forum, especially Ramaphosa who already has a relationsip with Russia in the BRICS context
Even if we are fed up with the French and Europeans , Chinese presence what difference will Russia really make?
Why not giving a chance to Russia to come and trade with us and see if there is not a good outcome?
Russia doesnot interefer in national affairs and imposed economic policies so they are better to trade with.
Are you ready?
The non–intervention principle that Russia advocates always, can be tricky in the context of an African country.
Not ready: isn’t it more dangerous to trade with Russians who do not want to take side or raise standards when cooperating with a country.
At least, sanctions from the west force our leaders to work on human rights violations ( example of Zimbabwe)
Our countries are not responsible enough, it is not the time to give out part of our resources and land again to foreign powers however they present themselves. Corruptions still dominate in Africans countries
How much control will we have left over our ressources? With europeans, americans , chinese already implented in numerous areas of our economy.
Having Russia’s back in the Security Council could be an advantage indeed, but is the continent going to become the battleground of the west against Russia?
I am convinced that the African countries governments are not ready for all these bilateral deals and have to apply the principles of good governance and self sufficient. 13% of Africa’s world imports were intra–Africa import , trade and exchanges among african countries are remarkably low. The priority must be to change that.
You must have noticed that I do not talk extensively about AFRICA because I also share the opinion that it is not possible to talk about it as a whole and compare it to Russia. Too much diversity, priorities and cultures. Making a whole continent at the same level as a country for me is not rational, even if this continent is the poorest of the world.
Overbooked by Moss 
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