Forum of Supporters for the Fight against Modern Neo-Colonialist Practices to begin
A Forum of Supporters for the Fight against Modern Neo-Colonialist Practices conference will begin today in Moscow.
The inaugural event, hosted by Russia from February 15-17, will convene representatives from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. While details about the agenda are scarce, Russian Ambassador Alexander Bikantov has confirmed the attendance of Faustin-Archange Touadera, President of the Central African Republic (CAR).
President Touadera, who previously participated in last summer’s 2nd Russia-Africa Summit, has been actively fostering closer ties with Russia. Notably, in 2018, his administration endorsed a defense agreement facilitating the training of CAR’s armed forces by the Russian military. This agreement contributed to the further involvement of the Wagner Group in CAR and across Africa. Another milestone occurred in the summer of 2023 when additional Wagner troops were deployed to CAR to ensure the security of the country’s constitutional referendum on term limits, allowing President Touadéra the option to pursue a third term in 2025.
While this week’s anti-colonialism forum is unlikely to result in significant defense deals or foreign policy agreements, leaders in the developing world may observe the evolving symbiotic relationship between Touadera and Moscow. Should developing states experience instability at home, more leaders, democratic or authoritarian, may find that military bases and mining concessions to Russia are a small price to pay to remain in power.
