Egyptian diplomatic relations to be commemorated at Russia-Africa summit
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The upcoming Russia-Africa summit, scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg from 26 to 29 July this year, has garnered significant attention from Russian officials, who are currently engaged in preparations for the event. President Vladimir Putin has expressed particular interest in the attendance of Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi, as Russia seeks to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Russia on the summit’s sidelines. This desire underscores the importance of Russia’s relationship with Egypt and its broader diplomatic strategy towards the African continent.
Egypt’s strategic partnership with the USSR, which began in 1953 following the overthrow of King Farouk by Mohammed Naguib and the Free Officers Movement, remains an important part of Russia’s diplomatic history. The Russian foreign office is seeking to highlight this anniversary, which holds particular significance in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. To this end, Moscow has dispatched emissaries to Cairo since late 2022, with the objective of persuading Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi to attend the upcoming Russia-Africa summit. Sisi’s attendance would not only mark the anniversary of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the USSR, but also reinforce the ongoing cooperation between Russia and Egypt in the African region. Furthermore, Sisi was previously recognized at the 2019 Russia-Africa summit held in Sochi, underscoring the importance of his presence at this year’s event.
As the Russia-Africa summit approaches, Moscow has taken a calculated decision to exclude Libyan Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dabaiba from the invitation list. This move is aimed at strengthening Russia’s position in the Libyan conflict, which has been fraught with political instability and international meddling. Cairo has been vocal in its opposition to Dabaiba and his government, which it views as illegitimate representatives of the Libyan state. Moscow, in turn, supports a more consensual figure in the form of Mohamed al-Menfi, the president of the Libyan Presidential Council. By backing al-Menfi, Russia seeks to establish a more favourable diplomatic relationship with Libya.
A contrast to the US-Africa summit
As preparations for the upcoming Russia-Africa summit intensify, Moscow is keen to secure the participation of as many African heads of state as possible. To this end, it has extended invitations to all military juntas, including those of Mali and Burkina Faso. This is a notable move, given that both countries are currently suspended from the African Union (AU) and were not invited to the US-Africa summit held under President Joe Biden’s administration in December last year. Moscow’s decision to invite the military juntas suggests a willingness to engage with a broad range of political actors across the continent, irrespective of their status within the AU. At the same time, this strategy may be seen as a means of challenging the West’s dominance in African affairs and advancing Russia’s own strategic interests on the continent.
