Perceptions of Russia's 'return' to Africa

Views from West Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID5725501
AuthorsLeonid Issaev (0000-0003-4748-1078, HSE University, Moscow, Russia, corresponding author), Alisa Shishkina, Алиса Шишкина (0000-0002-2544-9184, HSE University, Moscow, Russia), Yakov Liokumovich (HSE University, Moscow, Russia)
Year2022
Volume29
Issue4
Pages425-444
Publication date2022-10-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSouth African Journal of International Affairs (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1022-0461 • E-ISSN: 1938-0275
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10220461.2022.2139289
OpenAlexW4308586881
LanguageEN
Citations received7

The article focuses on the perception of Russia’s ‘return’ to Africa through an analysis of field research data from three African states: Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, gathered in late 2021. In this article, the authors argue that the Russian ‘return’ to Africa, which is primarily seen in the provision of security services through the presence of Russian private military companies (PMCs), is perceived positively in West Africa. An important role is played in these perceptions by the Soviet legacy on the continent, which is remembered positively among Africans. Perceptions among the youths surveyed appear significantly influenced by the crisis in relations between West African countries and France, as well as the experience of Russian involvement in the field of securitisation since 2014. The net effect is that Russian engagement in West Africa, and specifically by PMCs, is welcome

Development economics · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · International relations · Perception · Political science · Politics · Global Energy Security and Policy · International Relations and Foreign Policy · Law · Psychology · Russia and Soviet political economy

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