On a new tour in Africa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the strategic importance of African states in Russia’s repositioning on the global stage amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and heightened tensions with the Western world. This repositioning is being challenged by the West through pressure, threats, and intimidation attempts.

By choosing South Africa as the first stop of his Africa day, which began on January 23, 2023, Sergey Lavrov aims to make the country his strategic launching base for the African continent. This choice is reasonable given that South Africa, like Russia, is a member of the BRICS. From a geopolitical standpoint, South Africa is not only a strategic partner for Moscow but also a key continental power in Africa. From a geostrategic perspective, South Africa, Russia, and China intend to conduct joint military exercises with various navies off the coast of Durban.

This Russian diplomatic tour continues through Eswatini, Angola, Botswana, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Morocco. The case of renewing bilateral relations with Morocco is particularly interesting. In terms of energy cooperation, Morocco is among the main destinations for Russian petroleum product deliveries worldwide. For example, the table below shows, between 2021 and early 2023, the volume in tons of Russian diesel imported by Morocco.

Table 1: Volume of Russian diesel imported by Morocco between 2021 and January 2023
Source: Mikhail Gamandiy-Egorov, "The West’s repeated impotence regarding Africa-Russia relations," Observateur Continental, January 26, 2023.

This African visit takes place in a context where:

• U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is traveling in Africa seeking closer ties with the continent;

• France accuses Russia of being behind the recent decision by Burkina Faso authorities to demand the withdrawal of French troops, nearly a year after the simultaneous and rival diplomatic dance between France, represented by President Macron, and Russia, represented by Lavrov in Africa in July 2022;

• Russia accuses France of interference in the internal affairs of African countries;

• The West has resolved to send heavy tanks to support Ukraine in the conflict against Russia.

Overall, as part of a complementary strategy with Russia and China in Africa, the geopolitical goal is to break away from the establishment of traditional Western partners by promoting multipolarity as a guarantee of peace and prosperity in the contemporary world.