Russia's Covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy in Africa
Last December, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted to the official website for public reading its end-of-year report. The report offered the most significant activities and achievements, among them was the striking theme on Covid-19.
The report says in part: "Russia has contributed to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic and to overcome its consequences. Registration
of the Sputnik V vaccine was ensured in 71 countries, significant
volumes of domestic vaccines were supplied abroad, and agreements were
reached on the localization and expansion of the production of Russian
drugs in various regions of the world.”
The
unexpected outbreak of the coronavirus in December 2019 made many
governments, organizations and health institutions still struggling for
scientific solutions to the epidemiological situations express
solidarity and called for closer bilateral cooperation in the sphere of
health.
Some
countries showed practical concern by making quick deliveries of
medications and diagnostic materials, immune-biological preparations and
medical equipment. Besides that, scientists were on their toes looking
for appropriate vaccines for the Covid-19.
In
the process, Russia was the first to reach the goalpost. In less than a
year, precisely on August 11, 2020, Russia became the first country to
register a coronavirus vaccine named Sputnik V, developed by the
Gamaleya Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.
Russian
Foreign Ministry report last December says Sputnik V was registered in
71 countries. While it is yet to get final approval from World Health
Organization (WHO), it is currently registered under the emergency use
authorization procedure, according the statement from the RDIF website.
The RDIF is Russia's sovereign wealth fund established in 2011 to make
equity co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside reputable
international financial and strategic investors. RDIF acts as a catalyst
for direct investment in the Russian economy.
President
Vladimir Putin has oftentimes praised the entire healthcare system, and
particularly the hard-working team of scientists and specialists from
different institutions for their efforts at research and creating a
series of vaccines for use against the coronavirus both at home and
abroad.
As
the Foreign Ministry end-of-year report indicated, a quarter of the
figure cited of foreign countries that registered Russian vaccine are in
Africa. Algeria was the first African country to register Russian
vaccine. Ministry of Pharmaceutical Industry of Algeria registered
Sputnik V on 10 January 2021 as follows from a post on their official
Twitter account. Reportedly, the vaccine registered in the following
African countries: Algeria, Angola, Cameroon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt,
Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Namibia,
Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia, the Republic of Congo (DRC) and
Zimbabwe.
Experts
say that by such a step is necessary for Russia to reassert its
geopolitical influence, and already engages in a keen competition with
other foreign players on the continent. However, a majority of African
countries, where Sputnik V was registered, could not get supplies to
purchase as promised.
Admittedly,
Russia faces vaccine production challenges to meet the increasing
market demand and to make prompt delivery on its pledges to external
countries. As vaccine production and distribution intensifies, rivalry
and competition strengthen and the fight for market share and its
associated disinformation abound worldwide.
An
official media release in mid-February 2021 said that the Africa
Vaccine Acquisition Task Team - set up by the African Union (AU) to
acquire additional vaccine doses so that Africa can attain a target
immunization of 60% - received an offer of 300 million Sputnik V
vaccines from the Russian Federation. It was further described as a
special offer from Russia.
As
explained by John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC): "Africa has to team up with
development partners to achieve its 60% continent-wide vaccination in
the next two years. I think that is why we should as a collective of the
continent, and of course, in partnership with the developed world make
sure that Africa has timely access to vaccines to meet our vaccination
targets.”
Russia
never delivered the 300 million vaccines. Chairperson Moussa Faki
Mahamat visited Moscow mid-November. During their joint media conference
after the closed-door meeting, Minister Sergey Lavrov, of course,
reaffirmed that Russia would continue rendering assistance to various
African countries through various multilateral organizations and
bilateral channels.
"In
response to a request from African Union members, Russia provided aid
to almost 20 states by supplying them with vaccines, medications, and
individual protective gear, and by sending qualified specialists,” he
explained. Sergey Lavrov and his counterpart Moussa Faki Mahamat however
maintained silence over the offer of 300 million doses that was highly
expected through the Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team of the African
Union.
In
the Situation Analytical Report on Russia-Africa, compiled by 25
Russian policy experts, headed by Sergei A. Karaganov, Honorary Chairman
of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, and was
released last November, Russia's consistent failure in honoring its
several pledges over the years was vividly highlighted. The report
decried the increased number of bilateral and high-level meetings that
yield little or no definitive results.
"In
many cases and situations, ideas and intentions are often passed for
results, unapproved projects are announced as going ahead. Russia's
possibilities are overestimated both publicly and in closed
negotiations. The supply of Russian-made vaccines to Africa is an
example. Having concluded contracts for the supply of Sputnik V to a
number of African states, Russian suppliers often failed to meet its
contractual obligations on time,” says the report.
On
bilateral basis, Russia has made some vaccine deliveries, but only to
its preferred countries including North Africa (Algeria Morocco and
Egypt), in East Africa (Ethiopia), in Southern Africa (Angola,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe) and West Africa (Guinea). Media reports say
South Africa has rejected Sputnik V donation.
Early
December, President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with
the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. According to the official
Kremlin transcript, "the presidents agreed to join efforts in fighting
the coronavirus pandemic, in particular in view of the newly identified
Omicron strain, and further discussed interaction within BRICS.”
Thereafter, Kremlin dispatched Russian specialists to join the research
of the Omicron strain in South Africa.
During
end-of-year media conference, Putin emphasized: "This struggle
continues, and we are aware of the dangers that Omicron, this new
strain, poses. As you may know, a group of Russian scientists
and experts is now in South Africa, where their colleagues actually
discovered this new strain. Once again, I would like to thank our
colleagues from South Africa.”
The
December phone conversation took place against the backdrop of the
current entry restrictions on travellers from southern African
countries, due to the spread of a new Covid-19 variant (new B.1.1.529
variant). With the outbreak of Omicron, external countries have imposed
restrictions on entry into their territories from southern African
countries including Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia,
Eswatini and South Africa.
Russia's
drive to share Sputnik V vaccine offers a chance to raise its image and
strengthen alliances in Africa. The authorities have oftentimes said
that they would step up efforts for fruitful cooperation in combating
coronavirus in Africa.
Last
year Russia, through its Russian Direct Investment Fund, attempted to
sell the vaccines to a number of African countries through Sheikh Ahmed
Dalmook Al Maktoum, from the Monarch family and a third party in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. The Republic of Ghana reportedly signed US$64.6
million contract for Sputnik V vaccine from Russia through Sheikh Ahmed
Dalmook Al Maktoum. It was double the price from the producer as
reported in local Russian media.
Promising
more than can be delivered appears to be a universal problem with
coronavirus vaccines, and it is a real risk for Russia as well, said
Theresa Fallon, Director of the Brussels-based Centre for Russia Europe
Asia Studies. "They have won the gold medal for creating this very
effective vaccine,” she said. "But the problem is how are they going to
implement production and delivery?”
In
mid-December, TASS News Agency reported that the Russian Sputnik V
vaccine was likely to be supplied to African countries free of charge,
and quoted CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev who
had told the Rossiya-1 TV Channel. "The first batches are likely to be
delivered to African countries, since there is a very high incidence of
the Omicron Covid-19 variant,” CEO Dmitriev told the TV Channel.
Referring
to the Situation Analytical Report on Russia-Africa, compiled by 25
Russian policy experts, lack of "information hygiene” at all levels of
public speaking was listed among the main flaws of Russia's current
Africa policy. Interestingly Russians attempt to reclaim its stature as a
global power and show that it is a key player, but evidence-based
researches into Russia's growing presence in Africa is however limited,
particularly from the African perspective.
This
aspect of dating and promising has become part of its post-Soviet
diplomacy. What makes matters worse is that Russia simply do not
promptly deliver on it promises and pledges with African countries. It
has become part of its policy approach full of inconsistencies and full
of first-class symbolism – these experts rightly listed among the main
flaws in its African policy in the November report.
What's
more significant throughout last year, nearly all African countries
received Covid-19 vaccines from the global COVAX scheme. This is due to
the basic fact that they have lagged behind the rest in the world, and
have to scramble for vaccines and always welcome donations from friendly
governments from the western world and Europe.
While
the pandemic ranges on, Africa really needs the developed world, as it
has no vaccine of its own. It is far behind the rest of the world in
terms of acquisition and inoculations. Africa remains resolute at
ensuring the welfare of the entire population, while the African Union,
regional blocs and individual governments make frantic efforts to
acquire adequate vaccines through bilateral and multilateral agencies,
and especially through COVAX.
On
the other hand, the continent is witnessing an increased geopolitical
rivalry for influence including competition over generosity. For many
African countries, it is time to reflect as the pandemic has exposed the
weaknesses in their health system. With its abundant resources, Africa
still remains the world's poorest and least developed continent, and
worse with poor development policies. Amid all challenges, it is time to
prioritize and focus on sustainable development.
Dr.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health
Organization has reminded that the pandemic struck at a time of rapid
transformation for Africa. According to him, "many African countries
have low levels of coverage of health services, and when health is at
risk, everything is at risk" especially this challenging time when
governments have to get together to save lives around the world.
World
Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus outbreak a
pandemic since March 2020. South Africa accounts for the biggest number
of Africa's coronavirus cases. The overall number of Covid-19 cases in
Africa stands at least 9,741,000 reported infections and 228,000
reported deaths caused by the novel coronavirus in Africa late December,
according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for
Africa.
*Kester Kenn Klomegah writes frequently about Russia, Africa and the BRICS. As a versatile researcher, he believes that everyone deserves equal access to quality and trustworthy media reports. Most of his well-resourced articles are reprinted elsewhere in a number of reputable foreign media.
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Russia's Covid-19 Vaccine Diplomacy in Africa
Last December, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted to the official website for public reading its end-of-year report. The report offered the most significant activities and achievements, among them was the striking theme on Covid-19.