Russian President Vladimir Putin has chosen six countries in Africa to provide with free grain, a move that reflects Russia’s foreign policy priorities in the region. Despite Putin’s claims of purely charitable motives, the selection of these countries aligns with Russia’s strategic interests. The countries receiving the grain are Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, five out of the six countries had previously voted against Russia at the United Nations in support of a resolution calling for an end to the war in Ukraine. It appears that Putin is rewarding the loyalty of countries like Mali and the Central African Republic, which have relied on Russia’s Wagner mercenaries to support their authoritarian governments.
Eritrea and Zimbabwe, already considered pariahs in the West, are further enticed by the promise of grain, bringing them closer to Moscow. Somalia, the only country among the six that did not support Russia at the United Nations, has recently shown signs of drawing closer to Moscow. This includes a visit by the Somali foreign minister to Moscow and the Kremlin’s promise to support Somalia’s calls to lift international sanctions.
While Russia’s grain shipments may appear humanitarian, it also serves as a countermeasure against the millions of dollars the United States has pledged to help alleviate famine in the Horn of Africa. However, some African leaders may find themselves disappointed if the grain shipments are the extent of Russia’s offerings. During the last summit in Sochi in 2019, the Kremlin promised to double its trade with Africa and expand economic ties beyond its four main trading partners.
Despite Africa’s trust deficit with the West, Mvemba Dizolele, head of the Africa program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggests that a trust surplus with Russia does not exist. Moreover, Wandile Sihlobo, an agricultural economist in South Africa, argues that the grain promise does not negate the need to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed Ukraine to export grain through a Russian blockade. Many African nations benefited from the initiative in terms of reduced grain prices and enhanced food security.
In addition to grain, Russia also offers a spiritual allegiance to African leaders, as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill I, criticizes Western “anti-values” such as gay rights. This messaging may appeal to conservative leaders like Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who has faced international criticism for enacting strict anti-gay legislation.
Overall, it remains to be seen whether Russia can fulfill its promises of increased trade and economic ties with Africa, given its current wartime economy. African leaders should prioritize reinstating the Black Sea Grain Initiative rather than being enticed solely by free grain supplies from the Kremlin.