Karolina Koval's interview with Ashley Otu, Founder and researcher at IDCOOP
Karolina Koval, Fudan University (China), Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (Russian Academy of Sciences) - special for InfoBRICS
Ashley, tell us please, what are the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Africa? Could you name the most profitable areas for partnership?
I believe the areas of increased co-operation between Russia and African nations are in the areas of agriculture, energy, security, education and health
What problems and challenges are there? Western countries are putting pressure on Africa not to cooperate with Russia there. What advantages does Russia have?
The problems and challenges which Russia faces, regarding increasing co-operation in Africa is logistical, financial infrastructure and cultural. Some Western nations have the advantage of dominating certain nations economically and culturally. Now, the advantages that Russia has unlike Western nations is historically, Russia was never involved in colonialising in Africa and during the cold war, contributed to a number of African nations gaining independence from former western colonial powers.
What positive aspects of the Russia-Africa Forum memorandum can you mention?
The positive aspects of the recent Russia-Africa Forum were 4 joint declarations signed between Russia and all heads of states, including the head of the African Union. Moreover, Russia planning to increase the number of embassies in nations, where since the 1990s, was closed down. Furthermore, Russia announced it will provide grain for free after its withdrawal from the failing grain deal, where Africa was provided with little to no grain. In addition, Russia announced it would write off a total of $23 billion in debt obligations.
Russia will continue grain supplies to the African continent. Actually, in 3-4 months, free grain will be sent to Africa. Are there any stumbling blocks to resolve this issue?
The potential stumbling blocks to Russia’s ability to deliver grain is logistics, considering the risks of undersea drone attacks in the Black Sea by the Ukraine forces. The way to overcome this is potential setback is to increase the transit of grain via the North-South Transport Corridor to have a secure route to facilitate deliveries to Africa.
A number of countries on the African continent are preparing to join the BRICS and prefer to cooperate not with Europe and the United States, but with Russia, China and their allies. What is the reason for this?
The main reasons why BRICS looks attractive for the number of African nations wanting to join is economics. Especially, as each nation has undergone the same or similar experience of development (neo-liberalism and its disastrous effects). BRICS has surpassed the G7 in terms of total GDP value and wealth. The group members never interfere with a nation’s internal affairs. Especially, as certain western nations which have historically and to this day, continue to openly sponsor colour revolutions to topple governments, and force controversial policies on nations which don’t abide by their demands. The emergence of new multilateral institutions such as the BRICS new development bank and AIIB (Asian Investment Infrastructure Bank), provides a new source of funding to support key projects in African nations and breaks the monopoly of financial loaning from the World Bank and in the worst-case scenario, the I.M.F. Each member of the BRICS has played a key role in supporting the interests of African nations at other multilateral institutions such as the G20, supporting the application of the African Union to become a member.
How could we improve interaction in the cultural sphere? Frankly speaking, cultural exchange is the basis of prosperous relations between peoples?
I believe Russia must increase its cultural exchanges in education, sports, art and media. As these kind of exchanges are necessary to understand what makes it nation unique and areas of cooperation. When I was younger, I was always told that Russians were racist, growing up in England. Once I began watching some Russian films and did a university class on Russian contemporary cinema, my interest and appreciation of the nation and its people grew. Every May the 9, I always watch the victory parade of Russia’s victory during The Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) and honouring the lives sacrificed. So, I believe cultural exchanges is necessary to overcome any negative stereotypes and biases which have being promoted through certain western soft power (films, TV, religion, music, arts, NGOs and language programmes) in Africa.
What is BRICS for you and who are you in this union?
For me, the BRICS group of nations, provide alternative economic development models for other developing nations to pursue, instead of the failed neo-liberal policies which continue to be promoted by western nations despite the failed promises of neo-liberalist policies in a number of regions (Latin America, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe). Where I am in this union is, I am part of the African diaspora. Having been born and raised in the United Kingdom, I have grown and learnt how and why western hegemony has been nothing but a bad outcome for everyone, whether you are born in your homeland or born abroad, and the treatment is the same. I believe with the emergence of the multipolar world and the end of western hegemony, I believe the outcome will be better for everyone. Especially, as the majority of global growth will be generated from emerging economies in the global south and mainly members of the BRICS. Demonstrating the best development policies are pursued by state-led capitalism and not leaving the fate of the nation to the free market (the invisible hand).
This article originally appeared at Infobrics.com