Strengthening Russian-African diplomatic ties, the forthcoming Russia–Africa Summit, as well as expansion of the BRICS group offer the continent development options that must be "seized," Brice Alain Mbadinga, CEO of the Gabonese company Fidelis EMF, told Sputnik Africa.
"It is really an opportunity that Africans must be able to seize, it is an opportunity that President Putin is offering to many African countries that still remain a little landlocked in considerations that do not allow them to develop and get out of this colonial gear a little," Mbadinga stated.
For months, Africa and Russia have been getting closer, intensifying their diplomatic contacts and economic relations. While the head of Russian diplomacy has just finished his third African tour since the beginning of the year, "a new era is opening up for Africa," the managing director of Fidelis EMF said.
Cooperation with BRICS
Additional possibilities are emerging thanks to possible cooperation with BRICS, he continued.
"For me, Africa would gain a lot by [doing business] with the BRICS because it is a large organization. It is a great power that, in my opinion, offers a certain security to many African countries, and therefore it would be a considerable advantage to be able to deal with the BRICS," he suggested.
Recently, in Cape Town, South Africa, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov met with his counterparts from member countries of the organization, which more and more countries, including African states, are indicating their desire to join.
Russia–Africa Summit
Western Sanctions
The CEO criticized the restrictions imposed by the European Union and the United States on Russia, as they have an additional negative impact elsewhere.
Moreover, expectations regarding the possible expansion of partnerships are high in the run-up to the Russia–Africa Summit, scheduled for the end of July in St. Petersburg. In particular, "strong resolutions that can go in the direction of supporting many African countries that really want to develop," he continued.
In addition, BRICS should "put in place a number of devices," "reforms," and "firm commitments to be able to accompany African countries, who want to work on this."
Western sanctions
The CEO criticized the restrictions imposed by the European Union and the United States against Russia, as they have an additional negative impact elsewhere.
"When we sanction Russia, we must know that behind it, there are other countries that support Russia and that are naturally ready to be able to engage. In Africa today you have the case of Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Mali," he said.
With these steps, the authors of the sanctions are only adding to the "anti-Western resentment that is being born." If it is not supervised, it could "become widespread" in the region, in particular "in West and Central Africa."
As these sanctions have a direct impact on the transport of Russian cereals and fertilizers to the continent, many "perfectly understand this situation": it is "a feeling that is shared by quite a few African businessmen," Brice Alain Mbadinga noted.
In addition, the continent is becoming more and more involved "in the development process and that there is an awareness that is becoming more widespread," Mbadinga concluded.