Russia is prepared to assist its African partners and establish close trade and economic cooperation without demanding changes in ideology, politics, or value systems. This approach distinguishes Russia’s policy from that of the West, earning the hopeful attention of many African leaders. They see the deepening of ties with Russia as a pathway to achieving the continent’s final decolonization and ending the hegemonic ambitions of the “collective West,” writes Konstantin Pantserev.

       For years, Russia has consistently championed the creation of a multipolar world free from the dominance of the “collective West.” A key focus has been the completion of Africa’s full decolonization. Since gaining nominal independence, African nations, hoping for comprehensive development aid from their more advanced Western “partners,” have deliberately curtailed their sovereignty by signing cooperation and mutual assistance agreements with former colonial powers. These agreements often facilitated the establishment of Western military bases, imposed economic and debt control by former metropoles, and enforced unequal trade terms.

       These arrangements have proven to be highly effective tools for Western nations to maintain their faltering influence in the region. As a result, African states have remained resource-dependent appendages of Western metropoles, which continue to exploit their former colonies under new guises, retaining near-total control over their rich mineral and resource bases.

       This Western approach to former colonial territories has been labelled neo-colonialism. Neo-colonialism encompasses a range of practices designed to keep developing nations dependent on their former colonial rulers. Consequently, African countries that formally achieved independence have remained de facto dependent. While African states have occasionally attempted to reduce this dependence – for instance, by promoting the concept of “self-reliance” or, when that failed, “catch-up development” – these efforts have largely fallen short.

       The successful implementation of such strategies required a robust financial and technological foundation, which African nations lacked for obvious reasons. To bridge the development gap with the West, they had no choice but to seek assistance from the very Western states that perpetuated their dependence. These states, adept at exploiting the financial and technological vulnerabilities of their African “partners,” compelled them to adopt economic and political reforms that primarily served to strengthen Western influence in the region and create favourable conditions for Western investors and multinational corporations in Africa’s burgeoning markets.

       Over time, neo-colonial practices have evolved and become less overt than in the 1960s and 1970s. However, African nations remain reliant on Western technologies, investments, and financial aid for development.

       The Soviet Union played a significant role in supporting African countries in their struggle against Western-imposed neo-colonialism. In forging relationships with newly independent African states, the USSR held a distinct advantage over the West, as it had no colonial history in Africa and consistently advocated for the continent’s rapid decolonization. Soviet policy profoundly influenced the socio-economic development of African nations, fostering trade, economic, military-technical, cultural, and educational cooperation. Agreements on trade, air and sea communication, and the establishment of Soviet cultural centres were signed with numerous African countries, totalling around two hundred such agreements. Many Africans, including future high-ranking officials, received education in the Soviet Union and became fluent in Russian.

       However, following the collapse of the bipolar world order, Russia, due to a reorientation of its foreign policy, temporarily withdrew from the African continent and itself fell under the sway of Western capital and technology, becoming a victim of the neo-colonial ambitions of the “collective West.” This period saw the virtually unchecked export of “progressive” Western values and ideas worldwide.

       This shift gave modern neo-colonialism a new global dimension, as it now sought to erode the sovereignty of most non-Western nations and dictate their socio-economic and political trajectories through financial and technological dominance, effectively transforming them into new-style colonies.

       This is achieved by ensnaring countries in dependence on Western investments, insurance companies, banks, and payment systems. International financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank play a pivotal role in this process. If a nation attempts to pursue an independent foreign policy, it is swiftly branded a rogue state violating human rights and subjected to various restrictions and economic sanctions. Senior officials of such states may even face criminal prosecution by Western-controlled international judicial bodies, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).

       Yet, these restrictive measures have failed to cripple the Russian economy, which continues to show steady growth despite unprecedented pressure, while public support for the government remains strong.

       This Western approach to a sovereign state, including attempts to influence its leadership, has laid bare the essence of modern neo-colonial practices, where cooperation with the West is contingent on a nation’s political alignment. This strategy became glaringly apparent after the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine: major Western high-tech companies exited the Russian market, banks were cut off from the SWIFT system, and foreign assets were frozen. These actions compelled Russia to advocate more vigorously for the completion of the decolonization process, which, despite assurances from Western “partners,” remains unfinished. As Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted, “the process is complicated by former colonial powers’ efforts to maintain their influence under new conditions.”

       Beyond government bodies, the academic community has actively engaged in discussions on this issue. Since 2022, Russia has hosted numerous international forums and conferences addressing the fight against colonial legacies.

       For instance, on June 27, 2022, the Public Chamber of Russia held an international conference titled “Russia and the African ‘Awakening’: Prospects for Combating Neo-Colonialism in the 21st Century,” which explored various facets of the struggle against Western neo-colonialism.

       Notably, the conference featured representatives from African embassies, including the Ambassador of the Central African Republic to Russia, Léon Dodonou-Pounagaza, alongside members of the Russian Public Chamber, prominent African studies scholars, and journalists, reflecting a desire for broad public engagement on the issue.

       The theme of combating neo-colonialism was also central to the second Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference, held in Moscow on March 19–20, 2023, and the second Russia-Africa” Summit, held in St. Petersburg from July 27 to 28, 2023.

       On February 16, 2024, the United Russia party organized the first International Forum of Supporters of the Fight Against Modern Colonial Practices – “For the Freedom of Nations!” –which attracted over 400 participants from more than 55 countries.

       In his opening address, Russian President Vladimir Putin reminded attendees of the Soviet Union’s role in dismantling the colonial system and affirmed Russia’s commitment to intensifying the struggle “for true freedom and justice, for progress for all nations, and for the establishment of a democratic multipolar world order.”

       Thus, Russia is actively promoting a narrative of “cooperation on mutually beneficial terms without preconditions.” In other words, Russia is ready to assist its African partners across various sectors and foster close trade and economic ties without imposing ideological, political, or value-based demands. This approach starkly contrasts with that of the “collective West,” which conditions financial and technological aid on a nation’s political alignment.

       Consequently, Africans have warmly welcomed Russia’s return to the continent, viewing it as a potential end to Western dominance. This sentiment was echoed by the Ambassador of the Central African Republic to Russia, Léon Dodonou-Pounagaza, during his speech at the June 2022 conference. He illustrated how France has persistently sought to maintain its influence in his country, orchestrating the overthrow of undesirable leaders through coups or uprisings by groups armed and supported by the French government. He expressed strong support for Russia’s return to Africa, expressing hope that Russia would help African nations break free from the neo-colonial impasse.

       A similar stance was taken by Jacob Mudenda, Speaker of Zimbabwe’s National Assembly, at the Russia-Africa Parliamentary Conference. He thanked Russia for its steadfast support of African states in their quest to strengthen their global standing and asserted that “stability cannot exist under the dominance of a hegemon.” He argued that Russia should serve as a counterbalance in the emerging multipolar world. Louis Vlavonou, President of Benin’s National Assembly, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Russia’s cooperation with Africa is crucial for addressing global challenges.

       Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa also praised Russia’s efforts to combat colonial legacies, stating at the second Russia-Africa Summit in July 2023 that Africa “shares Russia’s stance on neo-colonialism and stands in solidarity with Moscow’s fight against it.” Notably, he spoke on behalf of all Africans, not just his own nation.

       Gayo Asherbiri, a member of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives, also voiced support for Russia’s policies. During a meeting with the Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin on December 15, 2024, he highlighted that Russia symbolizes independence for Africa and that its pursuit of a sovereign foreign policy inspires Africans in their struggle against colonial legacies. He noted that “Russia’s support for Africa is rooted not in its power but in its principled defence of African states’ sovereign rights.”

       In conclusion, Russia’s concept of combating neo-colonialism has garnered significant support in Africa. This is bolstered by Russia’s lack of a colonial or neo-colonial past and the enduring memory of the Soviet Union’s development assistance to African nations. As a result, many African leaders eagerly anticipate deeper cooperation with Russia, believing it will help achieve the continent’s full decolonization and curb the hegemonic ambitions of the “collective West.”

       Views expressed are of individual Members and Contributors, rather than the Club's, unless explicitly stated otherwise.