Russia used to be one of the biggest international players in African affairs until the 1989-1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Since then, the Russians have had very few serious engagements on the African continent.
However, the Russians now appear to be making a comeback into Africa. The government in Kremlin signed a military agreement with crisis prone the Central African Republic (CAR) in August 2018.1 The deal was signed near a state arms exhibition in Moscow by both countries’ defence ministers. And the deal means Moscow will now step up training of CAR’s military forces.
The news immediately put the spotlight on Russia and the possibility of it re-emerging as a strong player on the continent.2 Meanwhile, this is one of few occasions since the Cold War where Russia has pursued military deals with African governments.
And one important question arising from this, is why the CAR? Why has Russia chosen to work with the CAR over countries like Nigeria or Ghana? And it is also important to understand what this deal means for the heavily divided CAR and the rest of Africa.
What is Significant about the Central African Republic?
The crisis prone Central African Republic is a tiny country located centrally on the map of Africa.
Like most of French Africa, the CAR attained its independence in 1960. However despite independence, the country has never been stable. Its democracy was toppled in 1966 when France helped to enthrone Jean-Bedel Bokassa as leader of the country. Bokassa went on to establish one of the most brutal dictatorships the world has ever known. He ruled until 1979, when the French, finally vexed by his killing of schoolchildren, deposed him and replaced him with another dictator. Ever since, the country has witnessed several cases of instability, coups, and counter coups.
The most recent crisis stems from a violent sectarian conflict that broke out in 2013 after a predominantly Muslim terror group, the Seleka, begun to occupy territory and forced the removal of Francois Bozize as president. Meanwhile Christians comprise over 75% of the population.3 In response, a predominantly Christian group sprung up to challenge the Seleka.
These issues have helped to paralyze developments in the CAR. The UN now classifies the country as the least developed nation in the world. Meanwhile despite the conflicts, the CAR remains one of the most richly endowed nations of the world. Its mineral resources include gold, uranium, diamonds, among many others.
These issues, crisis and resources, are important points of interests to the Russians.
What Does the Russia Deal Mean for the Central African Republic and Africa Generally?
A New Player in CAR’s Conflict: The new military deal appears as a strong countermeasure to popup the CAR government in the face hostilities it faces. With Western support diminishing and an arms embargo over it, CAR has become more susceptible to rebel forces basking on arms gotten from Libya.4 The government now feels less in control of its territories. However, the Russian deal and the possibilities of new weapons and military trainings give the government a fighting chance and some bit of hope.
Stamps Russia’s Influence on CAR: The new military deal only solidifies Russia’s role in the CAR. Prior to signing the deal, Moscow already began to giving military support to the troubled country. In 2017, it successfully sent light arms and munitions along with 170 civilian instructors to the country upon the request of CAR’s President Faustin Archange Touadera. Despite an arms embargo on CAR by the UN, Moscow had to weirdly lobby for permission to deliver the weapons. According to reports, Russia delivered thousands of assault rifles, handguns, rocket launchers, machine guns and anti-aircraft guns.5 And interestingly, Touadera’s military advisor is also Russian.
A Low-Cost Way to Re-enter African Affairs: For a long time, France has been the most important player in the CAR and African affairs. However, with the decades following independence marked by coup and instability, and the failure of the West-led efforts to create a sustainable peace in the CAR, the Kremlin sees an opening.
To Russia, the crisis in the CAR has become a new avenue to strategically place itself gradually in African affairs. And importantly, it allows Russia to reignite its activities in Africa without raising the suspicion of France.
Russia’s African interests also extend to other low exposure countries like Sudan and DR Congo. Moscow is also looking to rekindle contacts with old Soviet allies in Africa such as Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia and Ethiopia.6
A Balancing Act Against China: In recent years, China has become a hugely important partner to many African countries. Beijing offers them development support in areas such as road construction, medical services, and trade partnership. In return China seeks access to the natural resources of these countries. This practice is adopted in the Asian countries dealings with Nigeria, Congo, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and many others.
But Russia aims to balance China’s strong role on the continent. Like China, Russia provides aid assistance without considering issues like human rights records. This was the case when Russia signed the new deal with CAR. However, unlike China, Russia’s engagement is majorly political. Some analysts even believe its long term goal is to set up military bases on the continent. It made a failed attempt however to create one in Djibouti, the location of several foreign military bases.
Image Credit: Flickr/ Brice Blondel for HDPTCAR