RUSSIA SUPPORTS AFRICAN SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MOSCOW 000976

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID ECON RS XA
SUBJECT: RUSSIA SUPPORTS AFRICAN SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN
PROBLEMS

Classified By: Ambassador John Beyrle for reasons 1.4 (b/d).


1. (C) Summary: African Ambassadors assembled for an April
15 roundtable hosted by the Ambassador argued that despite
Russia's limited diplomatic activity in Africa, Moscow's
support for the African position in international fora, and
African solutions to resolving the region's problems,
accorded Russia political influence on the continent. They
explained that Moscow's real interest in Africa was economic,
and that Russian companies had successfully won mining and
construction projects, although Russia was not as effective
as other countries in selling products to Africa. They were
skeptical of GOR intentions to begin a large-scale
development assistance program, and laughed at mention of a
recent MFA statement that Russia would deliver $400 million
in aid to Africa once the financial crisis had passed. The
Ambassadors encouraged the U.S. and Russia to settle their
bilateral differences and work together to effectively
address international issues, many of which have a direct
impact on Africa. End summary.

Russia Supports African Solutions
--------------


2. (C) Ambassadors Machage of Kenya, Mutshail of the DR
Congo, Wamisho of Ethiopia, Chergui of Algeria, Diallo of
Senegal, and Ojo of Nigeria, gathered for an April 15
roundtable hosted by the Ambassador to discuss Russian
relations with Africa. Machage explained that after the
collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia failed to develop a
clear cut policy toward Africa. Russia saw its "fingers
burned" in Africa when many of the regimes supported by the
Soviet Union collapsed following the end of the Cold War.
Economic turmoil in Russia during the 1990s caused it to stay
away from Africa as it focused its resources on the CIS. The
GOR has recently become more active in Africa, but this
remains limited. Despite this situation, Machage thought
that Russia could have more political influence on the
continent than the U.S. by virtue of the fact that Moscow
tends to support the African point of view in international
fora. Ethiopia's Wamisho characterized this as Russia
"raising its hand with the weak." Machage said that Russia
backs African solutions to African problems, and understands
that it is incorrect to look at Africa "from above" and treat
the continent as a collection of "hotspots." Senegal's
Diallo added the that main purpose for his country having an
Embassy in Moscow is to have representation in the capital of
a permanent member of the UNSC.


3. (C) Algeria's Chergui provided an overview of the African
Union's efforts to address the continent's problems, and how
it has allowed African countries to jointly declare their
shared values as opposed to receiving "lessons" from others.
He explained the AU's focus on creating regional groupings to
resolve conflicts, such as having Zimbabwe's neighbors
negotiate a political settlement that led to a unity
government. The Ambassadors agreed that such an approach was
favorable to imposing sanctions that harmed only common
people and did not touch Mugabe and his allies. For this
reason, African countries ask others to respect their
positions and the decisions of the AU. (Comment: Although
Russia did not come up in this part of the discussion, the
implication to the GOR's penchant to take such positions and
oppose sanctions was clear.)

Russia's Economic Focus on Africa
--------------


4. (C) Diallo posited that Russian foreign policy is not
directed at all of Africa, but only selected countries where
it has economic interests. Machage agreed, adding that
Russia was looking toward Africa as one of the regions in
which to expand its economic activity. Russia already had
inroads in North Africa, where it traditionally had strong
political and economic ties, and won construction and
railroad contracts. Russia is also involved in
hydro-electric projects in DR Congo and mining in South
Africa and Angola. While Russia is currently selling mining
equipment and other machinery in Africa, it is still well
behind Japan, the U.S. and others that produce higher quality
products. Furthermore, by failing to provide development
assistance to Africa, Russia misses an opportunity to develop
goodwill towards its industries, the way the U.S., Japan, and
China have. The countries that buy from Russia tend be those
that were close to the Soviet Union.


5. (C) Ethiopia's Wamisho said that the sale of natural
resources on the world market was a commonality between
Russia and Africa. The U.S., in contrast, seeks to sell its

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manufactured products, although not much of it goes to
Africa. In contrast, the French, Germans, Chinese, Japanese,
and Indians have spent great effort developing African
markets for their products.

No Russian AID for Africa
--------------


6. (C) Diallo said that Russia has no development agency such
as USAID, and appears in no hurry to establish one despite
promises to do so. Wamisho added that at the last monthly
meeting of African Ambassadors, a MFA representative provided
an overview of GOR plans to establish a $2-4 billion
international assistance program, of which $400 million would
be earmarked for Africa. When Wamisho conveyed that the MFA
official said the program would begin after the international
financial crisis had ended, this produced scornful guffaws
from the assembled Ambassadors.

Russia and U.S. Must Resolve Differences
--------------


7. (C) Wamisho urged the U.S. and Russia to work together
effectively to address all manner of international problems,
such as the Middle East peace process, which have an impact
on Africa. Failure to resolve bilateral irritants, such as
NATO expansion and missile defense, impact Africa by
preventing Russia-U.S. cooperation. If the U.S. and Russia
worked better together, Wamisho believed that Russia could
follow the U.S. lead in addressing peace and development
issues in Africa.
BEYRLE