Russia in another drive to shore up African support in the belief that western colonialism is detrimental to Moscow and the African nations. The visit to Angola is focused on a balanced position regarding international affairs focusing on improving Russo-African affairs.
Russia Says Western Colonialism Must End
In the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's second visit to Africa, he discussed with Angola President Joao Lourenco and the Foreign Minister of Angola Tete Antonio, noted Al Arabiya.
Earlier the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited before him and a month after the US-Africa summit in Washington, intensifying the contest to sway African leaders, remarked VOA News.
Lavrov, in his discussion with the Angolan leader, promised the support of Moscow to develop the nation with total commitment. He focused on the attempts of a sliding US trying to push illegal pressures that it is applying with its allies. Western nations are desperate not to let Moscow dominate African affairs.
He added that in desperation, the US and its allies are now driven to force Asia, Africa, and Latin America under their heels. Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier that the west is still exploiting developing countries. Angola shared this opinion.
Lavrov stressed good relations, which are not subject to geopolitical reality, with solidarity and support. He visited Angola after coming from Eswatini and South Africa.
Moscow Seeks African Support
Portugal gave Angola independence in 1975, leading to the leadership of MPLA, a Marxist liberation movement linked to the former Soviet Union.
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In previous years, the oil-rich nation has had close relations with the west, especially since the US can't lose Angola's support, cited Barrons.
When the Ukrainian conflict broke out, the US and its allies immediately pushed for sanctions on Moscow when the special operations commenced in Donbas. Many nations had earlier condemned the special operation of Russia in the UN. In October, Angola joined them when they refused to give a vote in an earlier referendum in the international body.
Changes have prompted many geopolitical shifts that have shaken the international community. The recent diplomatic efforts by the US and allies to convince the African nations to drop Russia and sanction it after almost a year since the Ukraine conflict has made the seeming success of the Moscow push on Africa. Alarm bells are ringing in western capitals like the US and Europe, knowing they might lose access to their energy resources.
China Visits Energy-Rich Continent
Beijing began a new push to foster more contact with Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, and Egypt early in January. The new Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang went on this tour to reach out diplomatically. China has been active in this part of the world, helping poor economies have more improvement, reported Reuters.
Many African nations have shown preference over the Chinese support in infrastructure and economic deals seen as then the US. Washington is unwilling to offer China's big bucks and even calls it a debt trap.
In 2022, Russian FM Lavrov toured Egypt, Ethiopia, and other countries that have been panned in the west. Russia and its moves to get more African support which is a threat to western colonialism, during the Angola visit.
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