The Historical Relationship between Africa and Russia
The relationship between Africa and Russia is an interesting and complex one. Whereas Western European nations participated in the enslavement and colonization of African people, Russia did not. For that reason, Russia was never one of the colonial powers that Africa had to fight. Some African leaders would later look to the Russian Revolution as a source of inspiration. From the 1920s to the 1980s, a number of African leaders and intellectuals embraced communism in part because of Russia. Even those like Marcus Garvey and Kwame Ture who did not embrace communism, still expressed admiration for Vladimir Lenin. Not only were Africans influenced by the revolutionary ideas espoused by the Soviet Union, but the Soviet Union also directly supported many of the anti-colonial struggles in Africa. This was a reality which Amilcar Cabral acknowledged when he stated: “It is necessary to point out that the Socialist country that has helped us the most has always been the USSR.”
There were contradictions in the Soviet Union as well, which certain Pan-Africanists were forced to confront. George Padmore left the Communist Party when he realized that the members were not as committed to Africa’s liberation as he would have liked. One of the problems which came up was the fact that the Soviet Union continued to supply Italy with oil even after Italy had invaded Ethiopia. There was also C.L.R. James, who was a Marxist. He denounced the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. In James’ view, Stalinism in the Soviet Union was a betrayal of Marxism. Walter Rodney, who was also critical of Stalinism, also criticized the Soviet support for the Derg regime in Ethiopia. This demonstrates that even those Pan-Africanists who were drawn to Marxist ideas also recognized certain problems with the Soviet Union and its relationship to the African struggle.
Russia has never really been a serious threat to Africa, but it’s also true that much of Russia’s policies regarding Africa have been ideological. This was great when it meant that Russia was backing anti-colonial struggles in Africa, but it was not so great when it resulted in Russia supporting oppressive dictatorial regimes which espoused Marxism-Leninism such as the one in Ethiopia.
I would argue that to a large extent this history continues to shape Africa’s relationship with Russia. I think there is a sense in Africa that Russia is not a serious threat to Africa’s development, at least not in the sense that Western nations continue to be. Granted, there are diverging views of Russia in Africa. Kenya’s ambassador to the United Nations, Martin Kimani, denounced the Russian invasion of Ukraine, whereas other African nations decided against condemning Russia. Even so, many Africans do seem to be skeptical of the anti-Russian narratives which come from the United States and America’s Western allies because they understand that historically Russia has not been Africa’s problem.
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Dwayne is the author of Hackers, Politicians, and Monarchs and several other books on African and African Diaspora history.
