Putin meets Mutharika as first Russia-Africa summit open in Sochi

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Malawian counterpart Peter Mutharika at the Black Sea resort of Sochi as he welcomed thousands of African leaders to discuss politics and business “worth billions of dollars” for the first Russia-Africa Summit.

Close to each other: Malawi President Mutharika  seated next to Egyptian leader, then Russia’s Putin attending Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi -Russia. Pics by Sarah Munthali.
Putin speaks at first Russia-Africa summit
Mutharika attending Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi -Russia. Pics by Sarah Munthali.
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday hosts dozens of African leaders for the first Russia-Africa Summit, as Moscow seeks greater influence on a continent where the West and China have a firm foothold.

Mutharika was strategically positioned by organisers of the summit to sit close with Putin and Egyptian leader Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi at the summit  which will see more than 3 000 delegates from across Russia and Africa discuss an array of topics from nuclear energy to mineral extraction.

All 54 African states sent a representative to the meeting, including 43 heads of state or government, according to Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov.

Malawian President Mutharika will later Wednesday be hosted by Putin to a gala dinner and the two leaders will also hold bilateral talks.

Opening the summit,   Putin said Russia currently export to Africa $25 billion ($22.5 billion) worth of food — which is more than what they export in arms, at $15 billion.

“We currently export to Africa $25 billion ($22.5 billion) worth of food — which is more than we export in arms, at $15 billion. In the next four to five years I think we should be able to double this trade, at least,” Putin said.

Russia has dominated arms sales in Africa but this time, Putin has promised further African cooperation without “political or other” interference. This comes as a reassurance to African states who have previously expressed concerns about dependence on China.

In addition to “military and security cooperation” with Africa, Putin also pledged Russian commitment to combat the Ebola virus with aid, and the training of “African cadres” by Russian universities.

“Joint projects are underway in extractive industries, agriculture, healthcare and education,” Putin said in his opening remarks.

According to Engin Ozer, director of the international think tank Voice of Africa, the modern Russian approach is different from that of the Soviet era as there is no division by ideological principle between the countries.

Russia seeks new markets to sell its production despite the U.S. sanctions primarily, and Africa is “very promising” in this regard, according to Ozer.

He said African countries can consider Russia as a creditor, alternative to China and the Western countries.

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Mulupare
Mulupare
4 years ago

Can history remind that there was period like this one called “Scramble for Africa” when western countries partitioned Africa for themselves. The main carnivals were UK, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy. They also did the same for South America, Middle East and Asia. Russia, China and USA who are among the giants now did not participate in fact some were victims (colonies) eg China and USA. This is a new fight for African resources which African leaders cant see. There is nothing to cerebrate for here.History will laugh at this generation as we do for the Scramble for Africa now. Africa… Read more »

Mwinithako
Mwinithako
4 years ago

The lucky one kkk.Mutharika will bring sanity in this country shortly kkk

Mangochi Kabwafu
Mangochi Kabwafu
4 years ago

Strategically placed close to Putin, by who and what’s the significance? And these thousands of African leaders, did they bring their chiefs as well, or in our case, the WHOLE mulakho?

Herbert
Herbert
4 years ago

The sitting arrangement speaks volumes in international diplomacy and protocol..

King's-son@265
King's-son@265
4 years ago

close to Putin, so what?

Madubeko
Madubeko
4 years ago

please amend the word thousand of African leaders, they are only 43 heads of state and governments plus representantives totalling to just 54 basi at least dozens of African leaders makes sense

phiriwaphiri
4 years ago

iyi zodiac iyi wailesi iyi koma maria waipanilira inu ndi a thindwa basi always negative osakambako za world bank money for magetsi koma iyi radio iyi paja a maria muli ku mbc 1990 mumadana ndi martiparty so you are fighting for mcp at zodiac iyi wailesi iyi paja mutalowa martiparty manathawila ku joni koma iyi wailesi zamanyazi

Jomicons
Jomicons
4 years ago

Putin Putin putini kukokomeza ng
ati ndi Yesu

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