Chatham House: Russia's Quest for Global Influence - Africa
Date: July 15th, 2021 at 15:00 CET / 09:00 EDT Platform: Cisco Webex Events
Link to Video Recording
Abstract
Moscow’s sudden shift in approach to gathering influence and economic power worldwide has surprised policy and analytical communities that viewed Russia’s ambitions for power projection as primarily in its former satellite states and the Middle East.
Russian involvement in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia is not new, and Moscow has supported the restoration of Russian presence and influence in these regions for almost a decade. This workshop examined Russia’s national strategic objectives in Sub-Saharan Africa and the extent to which they are achieving these objectives. From the perspective of individual African states, the event also explored whether those objectives are discernible, desirable, and achievable.
Agenda
Session One: Russia looking at Africa
- 15:00 – 15:10: Nataliya Bugayova - Non-Resident National Security Research Fellow, ISW
- 15:10 – 15:20: Joachim Isacsson - Strategic Analysis Programme, Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (UK)
- 15:20 – 15:30: Struan MacDonald - Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean Division, Ministry of Defence (UK)
- 15:30 – 16:30: Moderated Q&A - Keir Giles, Senior Consulting Fellow, Chatham House
Session Two: Africa looking at Russia
- 17:00 – 17:10: Dzvinka Kachur - Researcher, Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
- 17:10 – 17:20: Jideofor Adibe - Professor of International Relations and Political Science, Nasarawa State University (Nigeria)
- 17:20 – 17:30: Samuel Ramani - University of Oxford (UK)
- 17:30 – 18:30: Moderated Q&A - Alex Vines, Managing Director, Risk, Ethics and Resilience; Director, Africa Programme, Chatham House
Biographies
Nataliya Bugayova
Title: Non-Resident National Security Research Fellow Affiliation: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)
Nataliya Bugayova specializes in Kremlin decision-making, information operations, and campaigns in the former Soviet Union and Africa. She previously led ISW's Russia and Ukraine research team.
Joachim Isacsson
Title: Deputy Assistant Head Affiliation: Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC), UK MOD
Colonel Joachim Isacsson is a Swedish Marine with 35 years of military service, including training programs in African nations. He focuses on Africa as part of the DCDC Futures and Global Strategic Trends Programme.
Struan MacDonald
Title: Deputy Head Affiliation: Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and Caribbean Division, UK Ministry of Defence
Struan MacDonald has a 30-year career in the UK MOD, including leading the Russia policy team from 2016-2020. He now focuses on Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Dzvinka Kachur
Title: Researcher Affiliation: Stellenbosch University
Dzvinka Kachur researches disinformation and Russian influences in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Zambia. She holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Jideofor Adibe
Title: Professor of Political Science and International Relations Affiliation: Nasarawa State University
Jideofor Adibe is a professor specializing in African politics and international relations. He is the founding editor of African Renaissance and editor-in-chief of the Journal of African Union Studies. He consults for organizations such as the Brookings Institution.
Samuel Ramani
Title: Tutor of Politics and International Relations Affiliation: University of Oxford
Samuel Ramani specializes in Russian foreign policy, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. He is a regular contributor to media outlets and think tanks, and is writing a book on Russia's foreign policy towards Africa.