Leiden University Student Repository

Negara, Faghir (2020)

The Lost and Rediscovered Continent: Russia’s reinvented foreign policy interest in Africa

Bachelor thesis | International Studies (BA)

Africa has become an important point in the Russian foreign policy agenda, which has not been the case since three decades ago. This thesis will examine the reinvented Russian foreign policy interest in the African continent and explain this by looking at geopolitical influence, arguing that Russia’s geopolitical interest can be explained by the Great power competition with the United States and China, and furthermore discussing how isolation from relations with the West have had effect on increasing relations with Africa. Looking at military influence, it will argue that Russian arms trade to African states can be seen as an incentive to keep states unstable to increase arms trade. Last, this thesis will argue that there is much opportunity for economic trade in minerals and energy and examine how Russia is making use of the opportunity. Analyzing these different spheres show a trend, Russian state affiliated companies, which are not concerned with human rights and democracy...Show moreAfrica has become an important point in the Russian foreign policy agenda, which has not been the case since three decades ago. This thesis will examine the reinvented Russian foreign policy interest in the African continent and explain this by looking at geopolitical influence, arguing that Russia’s geopolitical interest can be explained by the Great power competition with the United States and China, and furthermore discussing how isolation from relations with the West have had effect on increasing relations with Africa. Looking at military influence, it will argue that Russian arms trade to African states can be seen as an incentive to keep states unstable to increase arms trade. Last, this thesis will argue that there is much opportunity for economic trade in minerals and energy and examine how Russia is making use of the opportunity. Analyzing these different spheres show a trend, Russian state affiliated companies, which are not concerned with human rights and democracy protection are doing the dirty work for the Russian state and thereby taking the accountability away from the state.Show less

Foreign policy

Russia-Africa relations

geopolitics

Great Power competition

Energy trade

Author

Negara, Faghir

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Skalamera, Morena

ECTS Credits

15

Language

en