How Ukraine war has turned Africa into a geopolitical battleground for China, Russia and US
The Russia and Ukraine war has disrupted supply chains and cut access to affordable wheat and fertiliser from the Black Sea region, worsening food crises in African countries. Senior Researcher at the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Gustavo de Carvalho, says “the conflict has created geopolitical sensitivities […]
Will Russia’s focus on resupplying troops in Ukraine open an arms export door for China in Africa?
African countries that depend on Russian arms exports may need to seek out new suppliers, such as China. In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post. Gustavo de Carvalho, Senior Researcher at the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), the conflict between Russia and Ukraine may […]
How the countries of the global south view war and why the West has not added them to its common front
In this interview with elDiario.es, Gustavo de Carvalho, Senior Researcher at the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at SAIIA, shares insights on how certain Western political and diplomatic sectors may be underestimating the complexity of the interests and motivations of countries in the global south.
South Africa risks backlash for Russian naval exercises, but its history with Moscow runs deep
South Africa’s participation in a 10-day naval exercise involving Russia has sparked widespread criticism. Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, Steven Gruzd, spoke to CNN about the timing of these exercises and their consequences for South Africa around the time of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Read the […]
South Africa’s naval exercise with Russia, China raises Western alarm
South Africa’s decision to participate in naval exercises with Russia and China has been criticised domestically, with some fears that the drills will hurt important ties with countries in the West. In this Reuters article, Steven Gruzd, Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, says exercises […]
Weapons and propaganda: how big is Russia’s influence in Africa?
Russia has expanded its influence in African countries in recent years; however, the South African Institute of International Affairs’ (SAIIA) Steven Gruzd cautions that the country’s influence should not be exaggerated in this Red Press article. In recent years, Russian media have expanded to include French and Arabic channels, which Gruzd argues is Russia’s attempt […]
Code red? SA lost in translation in Russia-Ukraine crisis
South Africa’s claims of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war came under the spotlight when the country indicated that it would take part in military drills with China and Russia. Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, Steven Gruzd, examined occasions where South Africa has stated it […]
South Africa’s support underscores Moscow’s propaganda success
The South African Minister of International Relations, Naledi Pandor, hosted her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in Pretoria recently for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine. Head of the African Governance and Diplomacy Programme at the South African Institute of International Affairs, Steven Gruzd, tells the Financial Times that “for Russia, this is another opportunity […]
Southern Africa leverages Russia-US tussle for influence
South Africa and its neighbours were at the centre of a tussle for influence this week when top Russian and US officials visited the region, offering a rare moment of leverage for governments on a continent more used to being buffeted by events than wooed. “They have the opportunity to play one side off against […]
Russia, South Africa and a ‘redesigned global order’
Steven Gruzd from the South African Institute of International Affairs unpacked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to Pretoria on CNBC. This is Lavrov’s second trip to South Africa since the invasion, and he will also reportedly visit Botswana, Angola and Eswatini.