Having both been at the event, Brian and I exchanged opinions and impressions from the event, ran over the key takeaways and compared the 2019 and 2023 formats. We also discussed how many heads of state came to the summit and whether or not that matters, why African countries are tired of being caught in political crossfire, which of Russia’s offerings appeal to Africans most and what Russia’s alternative security architecture solution for the continent looks like.
Timecodes:
The meaning of numbers. How many heads of state came to the summit and whether or not that matters.
Why your enemy should not be my enemy. Why Africa needs the right to chose its own partnerships.
The key expectations from the event, the Ugandan point of view
Russia’s alternative solution in terms of security architecture for Africa
What has been the role of major powers in Africa’s historical development course?
Africa can both cooperate with the West and have effective cooperation with Russia
Whether the Soviet legacy matters for the younger generation of Africans. The importance of knowing your national history and how you got to where you are today.
How the new emerging powers are providing an alternative sovereignty-focused model for Africa
Is free Russian grain for African enough to stabilise global prices and avoid a food-security meltdown?
The 2019 Summit VS 2023 Summit
Why most Africans and Russians learn about each other via Western media. The Summit as a space for unhindered dialogue.
More youth representation at the event
What Brian would like to see happen in the run-up to the next summit
Brian’s vision for the future of Russia-Africa and Russia-Uganda relations.
