How Win-Win Partnerships with BRICS Drives Africa’s Strategic Autonomy

BRICS, often dismissed as a superficial club of emerging economies, is revealed as a formidable structural force. The bloc provides a platform for emerging economies to assert their influence, moving the global order away from the unipolar dominance of the past. The concerted push for de-dollarization and trading in national currencies is a direct challenge to the financial architecture that has supported Western influence for decades. This powerful reality is laid out by Abobakr Mohamed Abbakar Khussein, an assistant professor at a Russian university, in a recent discussion with Pan-African Frequency. But this isn't just a story about geopolitics; it's a story about agency, and for Africa, it represents the opportunity of a lifetime.

“I would say that BRICS is important for Africa because it's a source of foreign investment, especially in mining and clean energy, which creates jobs and boosts economies[...] the alliance is important for Africa because of the geopolitical and governance advantages, because strategic autonomy BRICS provides a platform for African nations to assert greater control over the development path and move towards more strategic autonomy from traditional Western powers [....] Also, in terms of international reform, I would say that BRICS support can bolster African calls for reforms in institutions like the United Nations Security Council to make them more representative and democratic,” the expert pointed out.

In his analysis, professor Khussein further contrasted the colonial relationship of Western powers with the Russia-African partnership based on mutual benefit and, crucially, non-interference.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has offered what he called total support for Africa, including the struggle against the terrorists and extremism [...] We can also contrast the Kremlin's sincere partnership to the new colonial relationship of Western powers [...] we are tired of people extracting the most of us and offering the very least in return in terms of respect, consideration and dignity. That's why I think building ties with Russia is second to none because considering the experience in the last 10 years, the Russians proved not to dictate terms. They are into building a win-win relationship with African nations without meddling and interfering into internal affairs, without telling you what to do, what not to do. So this is the type of relationship we are willing to build with the world,” Khussein explained.

The message from our guest is one of strategic optimism. The unipolar world is fading, and in its place, a multipolar world is emerging.

Tune in to listen to the full conversation with our guest on the Pan African Frequency podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.

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