Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has begun a tour of Africa, with stops in Egypt, Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo, and Uganda. This comes amid a global food crisis and Russia's efforts to deepen its non-Western ties.
On Mon., he arrived in the Republic of Congo, stressing Moscow's role in supporting the African nations' struggle for independence. Lavrov will meet with Congolese Pres. Sassou Nguesszo before heading to Uganda.
The West likes to claim that not only Washington and its closest allies, but the whole so-called "international community" has isolated Russia over the Ukraine war. The neutral stance of the vast majority of African leaders proves this to be nothing more than an illusion. The West doesn't understand that Africa is no longer willing to follow its will and double standards, and Russia enjoys an excellent reputation across large parts of the continent.
Indeed, it isn't all that accurate to speak of Russia's international isolation, and that is precisely why the West should focus on long-term strategies to detach Africa from Moscow's sphere of influence. In addition to sanctions against Russia, the West should simultaneously invest economically and politically in African countries, since this would not only strengthen the rules-based world order but also help to curb Russian and Chinese influence.