Russia and Africa should work together to challenge Western dominance and create a new economic world order, according to Nourhan El-Sheikh, a professor of international relations at Cairo University. In an interview with RT, she argued that African nations should liberate themselves from Western financial instruments such as the US dollar and SWIFT, as they pose difficulties for cooperation. El-Sheikh called for more trade between Africa and Russia to be conducted in national currencies, saying that this would benefit everyone involved.
El-Sheikh also criticized the Black Sea Grain Initiative, stating that it did not benefit African countries as intended. The initiative, designed to alleviate hunger in poor nations, ended up serving the interests of European countries and other wealthy nations. She highlighted that out of the 33 million tons of grain exported, only 3% actually reached the countries in need.
Russia recently withdrew from an agreement with the US, citing the failure of the US to fulfill its promises to lift restrictions imposed after Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. These restrictions included reconnecting Russian banks to SWIFT, opening an ammonia pipeline, allowing imports of agricultural machinery and parts, and unblocking transportation insurance. El-Sheikh praised Russia’s decision to send grain and fertilizers to African countries and forgive $25 billion in African debt.
Africa is facing multiple crises, with food and energy shortages impacting the population. Approximately 43% of people on the continent do not have access to electricity. El-Sheikh suggested that energy projects carried out in cooperation with Russia could provide relief to regions suffering from power shortages. She specifically mentioned the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt, which is being developed by Russian state energy major Rosatom. The plant will consist of four units using Russia’s VVER technology, with a capacity of 1,200 MW each.
In conclusion, El-Sheikh emphasized the importance of Africa and Russia working together to challenge Western hegemony and create a new economic order. By reducing dependence on Western financial instruments and increasing trade in national currencies, both Africa and Russia would benefit. Additionally, she praised Russia’s efforts to support African countries through initiatives such as sending grain and forgiving debt. Energy projects, such as the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, could also provide relief to power-strapped regions in Africa. Overall, the professor urged African nations to strive for independence and cooperation with Russia to overcome the challenges they face.
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