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![]() Moscow’s interest in the continent is nothing new, though judging by the recent attention paid to what the Kremlin is officially doing (diplomatically and financially) and unofficially (via groups like the Wagner private military company, about which, more, below), one would suspect otherwise. Pretoria’s engagement with Russia, cited as the “natural course of relations” with “friends,” also brings renewed attention to Moscow’s courtship of the countries of Africa, which makes Samuel Ramani’s “Russia in Africa” all the more timely. Russia in Africa: Resurgent Great Power or Bellicose Pretender? | Samuel Ramani | Hurst Publishing The coalition against Russia is predominantly Western, with Latin and South America refusing to provide arms, and African countries abstaining from diplomatic condemnations. The drills and South Africa’s position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlight a key, if unwelcome, reality about the war in Ukraine: For as much as the West sees the “world” aligned against Moscow, the picture is far less clear with the Latin and South America, Africa, and other regions largely sitting on the sidelines of the conflict. Pretoria abstained from condemning Russia’s invasion at the United Nations in 2022 and has stated that its position in the war is neutral, going so far as to suggest that South Africa could serve as a mediator between the two countries. The 10-day exercises began roughly one year to the day of Moscow’s expanded invasion of Ukraine and prompted condemnation from Western capitals. N late February 2023, South Africa held joint naval drills with Russia and China, off the country’s coast.
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