Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow Focuses on Military Ties

The third Russia-Africa summit opened Wednesday in Moscow, testing Russia's influence strategy on the continent with about twenty heads of state expected over two days. Russia promotes an anti-neocolonial narrative targeting Western powers, particularly France, while emphasizing shared traditional values. Economic exchanges remain limited, with relations focused mainly on military and security cooperation, including arms sales and paramilitary deployments. An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 Africans fight in the Russian army, some recruited by force or deception. Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa have sought repatriation of their citizens, with Cameroon suffering the heaviest losses.