France 'worried' about Russia's growing cooperation with Africa
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There are many countries that are interested in cooperating with Africa, which raises concerns in Paris because the continent is considered to be France's "property".
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Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Russian-African Summit in 2019. (Government of South Africa)
France is concerned with Russia's growing influence in Africa, as Paris considers the continent to be its sphere of influence, the chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, told Sputnik on Saturday.
There are many countries that are interested in cooperating with Africa, which raises concerns in Paris because the continent is considered to be France's "property," Ayuk said, adding that the main concerns are caused by the situation in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, and Mali.
Burkina Faso's military leader Capt. Ibrahim Traore replaced Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba at the helm of the ruling military junta, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, following a coup on September 30, the second since the West African nation's president, Roch Kabore, was overthrown in January.
Damiba said he had agreed to go after several conditions were met. He is reportedly in Togo.
Paris faces a tide of discontent from African nations as over the past years the French troops have proved to be unable to resolve the security crisis in the Sahel region.
To make things even tenser, Mali authorities accused France of backing terrorists and even providing them with weapons. In the meantime, the local population expresses sympathy towards Russia, believing that assistance from Moscow can solve the security crisis.
Uganda leader: An attack on Russia is an attack on Africa
As the rift between Russia and the West grows, African nations seem to be going in the opposite direction and warming ties with Moscow.
Most recently, Uganda seems to be partnering with Russia on a multitude of issues and strengthening relations on a high level, with officials declaring Russia an ally, a partner, and a friend of the African country.
According to the Ugandan leadership, both President and Land Forces commander, Russia has supported Uganda in its anti-colonial fight for 100 years and they will not forget this.
Taking this dynamic alliance further, Ugandan Land Forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement regarding a possible nuclear war through a tweet on his personal page, highlighting that any attack on Russia is an attack on Africa.
Read next: South Africa: US sanctions against Russia will punish Africa
On July 24-28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited African partners Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Congo.
During that visit, Moscow, according to Lavrov, committed to the continued fulfillment of its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, and energy to African countries, regardless of Western sanctions.
"It is essential that all our African friends understand that Russia will continue to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international contracts with regard to exports of food, fertilizers, energy, and other goods vital for Africa. Russia is taking all measures to this end," Lavrov said.
He added that Russia is well-aware of the importance of commodities essential to the social fabric, which includes food.
"I would like to emphasize that the speculations of Western and Ukrainian propaganda that Russia allegedly "exports hunger" are completely unfounded. In fact, these are yet another attempt to shift the blame to others," Lavrov said.
Russia committed to supplying energy to Africa despite sanctions
Moscow, according to Lavrov, will continue to fulfill its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, and energy to African countries, regardless of Western sanctions.
"It is essential that all our African friends understand that Russia will continue to fulfill in good faith its obligations under international contracts with regard to exports of food, fertilizers, energy, and other goods vital for Africa. Russia is taking all measures to this end," Lavrov said in July.
He added that Russia is well-aware of the importance of commodities essential to the social fabric, which includes food.
"I would like to emphasize that the speculations of Western and Ukrainian propaganda that Russia allegedly "exports hunger" are completely unfounded. In fact, these are yet another attempt to shift the blame to others," Lavrov said.
He argued that the collective West used the global COVID-19 pandemic to withhold commodities and food flows, which has forced developing countries to be dependent on its food imports, the starting point of a global food crisis.
