RUSSIA has historically had a complex and evolving relationship with Africa. While there have been periods of openness and cooperation, there have also been challenges and tensions.
In the Soviet era, Russia sought to build ties with African nations as part of its ideological and geopolitical rivalry with the West.
The Soviet Union provided economic and military aid to various African governments and liberation movements, and this led to a kind of sympathy and rapprochement between Africa and Russia .
The depth of Tanzania-Russia relations
The depth of TanzaniaRussia relations is marked by a long history of cooperation and friendship, dating back to the early 1960s when Tanzania gained independence from British colonial rule.
There are some key aspects that highlight the depth of their relationship. In early years Tanzania established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1961, shortly after gaining independence.
The Soviet Union was among the first countries to recognize Tanzania’s independence and provided significant aid, including military assistance, scholarships for Tanzanian students, and support for infrastructure projects.
During the Cold War era Tanzania, under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, pursued a policy of non-alignment, seeking support from both Western and Eastern bloc countries.
Russia saw Tanzania as a strategic partner in Africa and provided assistance in various sectors, including infrastructure, education, and defence.
In recent developments, the relationship has seen significant growth, with increased trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic exchanges.
The two countries have explored opportunities for economic collaboration, including trade agreements, investment opportunities, and joint ventures in sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
As on cultural and educational exchanges Russia has been instrumental in providing scholarships and training opportunities for Tanzanian students and professionals, equipping them with valuable skills and knowledge that contribute to the advancement of various sectors in Tanzania.
In terms of security and humanitarian cooperation, the two nations have discussed security cooperation, regional stability, and humanitarian assistance, promising each other support in hard times.
This partnership underscores their shared commitment to peace and security, fostering a safer environment for both countries and the broader international community.
Leadership engagement is another area, whereby high-level diplomatic engagements and exchanges have been a hallmark of the relationship. For example, the Tanzanian Prime Minister, Mr Kassim Majaliwa visited Russia in July 2023 to attend the second Russian-African Summit, where leaders and investors from over 37 African countries and Russia discussed ways to strengthen partnerships and improve individual country challenges.
There is also an issue of ambassadorial support. The two countries have had a consistent presence of ambassadors in each other’s capitals, with ambassadors playing a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering cooperation in various sectors.
The above-mentioned aspects demonstrate the depth and breadth of the TanzaniaRussia relationship, which has evolved over the years from ideological alignment to pragmatic cooperation based on mutual interests.
Russia and Africa in general
After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia’s engagement with Africa declined for a period.
But in recent years, Russia has sought to re-engage with the continent, driven by economic interests such as access to natural resources and new markets, as well as geopolitical consideratRussia has emphasized the principles of sovereignty, non-interference in domestic affairs, and respect for traditional values in its relations with African states.
Russia has consistently supported African peoples in their struggle for liberation from colonial oppression, providing significant economic and military assistance.
This legacy has generated a deep sense of trust and goodwill, which continues to shape the partnership today Overall, while Russia has sought to portray itself as a reliable partner for Africa, its relationship with the continent continues to strength in progress, with both opportunities and challenges.
The degree of openness and mutual understanding will depend on how the two side navigates these complexities going forward.
There are some positive examples of interaction between Russia and Africa in various fields. In military and security cooperation, Russia has signed military cooperation agreements with 21 African governments, including negotiations on establishing military bases.
The militaries of Algeria, Angola and Ethiopia are nearly entirely equipped with Russian weaponry a military instruments.
Russia provides technical staff and military experts to satisfy Africa’s increasing demand in these areas. In regard to economic and trade relations, Russia’s economic engagements with African countries primarily involve arms exports and military cooperation, as well as energy projects.
African countries transfer shares of their own companies to Russian firms as a means of payment, or authorize Russian personnel to administer valuable mineral reserves.
Russia seeks to recover and strengthen economic, political, social, educational and military-security ties formerly established by the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union provided educational exchanges, with scholarships for African students to study in Russia. Russia currently offers educational opportunities as part of its efforts to re-engage with Africa.
There is in place cultural exchanges and peopleto-people contacts are an important aspect of RussiaAfrica relations. In political and diplomatic ties, the Soviet Union established diplomatic ties with many African countries in the mid-20th century.
Russia has sought to recover and strengthen political partnerships formerly established by the Soviet Union. High-level political exchanges, such as the RussiaAfrica Summit, demonstrate the importance Russia places on its relations with the continent.
While challenges remain, these examples illustrate the multifaceted nature of Russia’s engagement with Africa across various domains.
The relationship continues to evolve, driven by both historical ties and contemporary interests on both sides.
Overall, Russia’s relationship with African countries has transitioned from historical ties rooted in the Soviet era to a more pragmatic and diversified engagement in recent years, reflecting a mix of economic, political, and strategic interests on both sides.
• The writer is a Media researcher and can be reached through 0652603616