Russia and Africa are getting much closer to each other, while the continent seems to be moving further and further away from Europe, according to Chadian expert Abakar Torh Fode, the head of external relations for the Association for Cooperation and Socio-Cultural Development with Russia.
"Russia is increasingly approaching African countries in a respectful, friendly, and fraternal way," Fode said in an interview with Sputnik Africa, commenting on the Russian initiative to simplify the visa regime with eleven countries, including three in Africa.
For him, it's a "smart way to encourage Russians to travel to Africa and Africans to Russia." This allows both sides to leverage their mutual potential and develop tourism.
Furthermore, the official contrasted this approach with that of Europe, which is tightening the visa regime for Africans while giving "hypocritical speeches" about their shared history.
"I think African countries should also respond clearly by toughening the visa regime towards European countries," he suggested.