Emmanuel Macron accuses Russia of being a “destabilizing power in Africa”

“A power to destabilize Africa.” This is how Emmanuel Macron qualified Russia, Friday June 23, during an interview on franceinfo, RFI and France 24 on the sidelines of the Paris summit. The Head of State mentions in particular “private militias who come to predate, abuse civilian populations”recalling that “this has been documented by the United Nations in the Central African Republic through the Wagner militia”.

According to him, “Russia has put itself on its own in a situation of no longer respecting international law, of becoming basically one of the only colonial powers of the 21st century, by waging a war of empire with its neighbor , Ukraine”.

Russia competes with France’s influence in Africa

For his part, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the press that Russia is developing with African countries “friendly, constructive relations, based on mutual respect”. Since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sought to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with Africa, competing in some countries with France, a former colonial power on this continent.

In Africa, Russia is trying to attract African leaders to its camp by claiming to stand as a bulwark against imperialism and by accusing the West of blocking with its sanctions the export of Russian cereals and fertilizers essential to many country.

In particular, Russia will organize a second Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg at the end of July, a way of showing its understanding with its partners on the continent despite the conflict in Ukraine. A delegation of African heads of state also visited Russia last weekend, advocating an end to the war in front of Vladimir Putin and formulating proposals judged however “very difficult to implement” by the Kremlin.