Diverse Voices, One Vision: BRICS Summit Inspiring Global Change

The mere presence of African nations at the BRICS Summit in Kazan is a significant first step for the continent, Macharia Munene, Professor of History and International Relations at the US International University-Africa [USIU-Africa], tells Sputnik Africa.

“The new African members will be there to learn from the existing founders of BRICS and what the objectives are. This learning phase is crucial as it allows these countries to understand how they can effectively integrate into the BRICS framework and advocate for their interests,” he notes.

As Africa's largest economies join this coalition, there are strategic interests at play. Munene points out that countries like South Africa have already recognized the benefits of membership.

“By not being members, you lose. So become a member. You want to know so that you don't lose because you didn't know. So it is in their particular interest and the way BRICS has emerged as a viable alternative to the conceptual West, the G7, which is mainly a club of the Western powers. So you have all these countries searching for an alternative; not to be beholden to the conceptual list all the time. And so, the emergence of BRICS as a counterforce is a very welcome phenomenon. And you have all these countries who want to be in this alternative as a way of leveraging out their interests in the world arena,” he emphasizes.

Moreover, Munene discusses the potential of the BRICS to challenge traditional economic paradigms. He notes that “the fact that the combined GDP is bigger than the G7 is a force in itself,” suggesting that this economic shift could redefine global power dynamics. As more countries gravitate toward BRICS, it creates an environment in which African nations can assert greater independence and freedom in their economic policies.

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Dr. Alexander Rusero, a senior lecturer of International Relations, Politics, and Journalism and head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe, articulates a vision where BRICS serves as a catalyst for economic development and a counterbalance to the dominance of Western powers.

“BRICS in general and the entire Global South in particular have been crying for leveraging off international relations, international economic cooperation to a position where it gives a win-win between the Global North and the Global South,” he stresses.

He further emphasizes that the current international financial architecture, dominated by institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, has historically favored the Global North, stating that “you cannot have that kind of scenario in the 21st century when multilateralism is proved to be better than the unipolar world,” calling on African nations to engage in platforms like BRICS that promote mutual benefit rather than exploitation.

To find out what else our guests had to say, tune in to the Global South Pole podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.

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