On May 22, the Faculty of Global Processes of Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) hosted a Strategic Session titled « The Role and Place of Africa in the Formation of a Polycentric System of International Relations, » held as part of the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference « Current Issues in Global Studies: Megatrends of Global Development. »
The session was organized by the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov MSU in partnership with the Public Diplomacy Foundation and the Globus – 21st Century Scientific and Educational Center of the Faculty of Global Processes, Lomonosov MSU.
Participants were welcomed by Professor Ilya Vyacheslavovich Ilyin, Dean of the Faculty of Global Processes, First Vice-President of the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov MSU. He emphasized that the role of African countries in shaping a new system of international relations is critically important. The Dean noted that students at the Faculty of Global Processes study Swahili, with plans to introduce other African languages. He highlighted the beautiful African design of the new faculty auditorium where the session was held and proposed naming it after the distinguished African figure Professor Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow, former Director-General of UNESCO from Senegal. A.M. M’Bow was a great friend of Russia, visiting it numerous times. In 1977, he became an honorary doctor of MSU.
Alexander Fedorovich Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club of MSU, reminded participants that the session coincides with the anniversary of the founding of the Faculty of Global Processes, which opened on May 21, 2005. Over the years, the faculty has achieved tremendous success, becoming one of the most sought-after academic programs. He also stressed that the session takes place ahead of the Third Russia-Africa Partnership Summit, scheduled for October 2026 in Moscow. All Club events this year are held under the banner of this significant occasion. On the eve of the session, a meeting of the organizing committee for the Third Russia-Africa Summit took place, where the outcomes of the Second Summit were reviewed, noting that despite a complex international situation, Russian-African cooperation continues its positive trajectory.
Professor Nightingale Lulu, Head of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Limpopo (South Africa), underscored the particular importance of such meetings as vivid examples of humanitarian cooperation. In her view, the peoples of Russia and Africa are moving toward a common goal: creating a just world that precludes « exceptionalism » for some members of the human community and subjugation for others. All peoples must have equal access to cutting-edge technology, quality healthcare, education, and all progressive achievements, the expert concluded.
Alexey Andreevich Kuznetsov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences and Candidate of Historical Sciences, stated that the extremely tense international situation brings the danger of a nuclear catastrophe closer, threatening to affect the entire world. In this context, he argued, all instruments, including « soft power » that help mitigate global conflicts, become increasingly important. One such instrument is cinema, he believes. He presented on the theme of nuclear apocalypse in U.S. film production. The speaker expressed hope that perhaps the release of the new film « The Dynamite House » might herald new disarmament and non-proliferation agreements.
George Mwangi Mutalemwa, Webinar Leader for « Global Peace Studies for Sustainable Development » and Professor at St. Augustine University of Tanzania, spoke about the work of the non-governmental organization « Solidarity for Peace and Development » and its associated foundation, whose activities he coordinates. This organization operates on four continents, researching initiatives to support peace processes, organizing conferences with activists from various countries, and placing great emphasis on international educational projects. The speaker praised the Russian-African Club of MSU’s efforts in maintaining humanitarian projects and expressed his organization’s full support for the Club’s activities.
Professor Igor Ericovich Krugovykh, Chairman of the international public movement « Peacebuilding, » emphasized in his address that the parameters of a new world order include the need for a more cohesive global community, recognition of the absolute uniqueness and sovereignty of each state, and the principle of indivisible and equal security for all members of the global community, where all disagreements are resolved peacefully. Igor Ericovich thanked his Tanzanian colleague and the organization he represents for their efforts to advance peace processes and proposed that Professor George Mutalemwa become Co-Chairman of the « Peacebuilding » movement to coordinate joint efforts in this area.
Richard Silumbe, a Zambian presidential candidate and President of the political party « Movement for Leadership, » an alumnus of the Moscow Power Engineering Institute, noted that cooperation between Russia and Africa, particularly Zambia, remains underdeveloped in many areas. He expressed hope for expanded joint activities in fields such as energy and peaceful nuclear research, which would help reduce Zambia’s and Africa’s dependence on hydropower given the continent’s freshwater scarcity. He highlighted that Zambia’s President recently refused to sign a document that would have directed the country’s natural resources to President Trump in exchange for U.S. medical aid. This fact, the expert argued, indicates that Africa is awakening and no longer allowing the West to force African nations into unfair deals.
Kinfe Zenebe from Ethiopia, President of the Union of African Diasporas in Russia, expressed confidence that Africa has every chance to become an independent center in the new world system, especially considering that over 60% of the continent’s population—approximately 900 million people—is under 35. The expert identified serious risks negatively impacting African public consciousness: the strong influence of Western culture and media; epidemics and lack of free access to healthcare; and youth unemployment. Additionally, shortages of qualified educational personnel, scientific infrastructure, laboratories, and teaching materials for students in their home countries remain pressing issues where Russia can play a decisive role.
Sergey Nikolaevich Chesnokov, President of the « MIR » autonomous non-profit organization, Academician of PANI, and international journalist for « Selskaya Zhizn » newspaper, named the sovereignty of African countries—both political and economic, including independent payment systems and political, economic, and information security—as the most critical factor in Africa’s emergence as an independent center in a polycentric system. He stressed the need for internal consolidation across all African nations and the formation of their own agenda in international relations.
Hafiz Bassi from Sudan, Head of the Youth Commission of the Russian-African Club of MSU, believes that Africa’s place in the modern world is determined not only by resources and population size but also by the active development of self-awareness and identity, fostering political maturation and technological breakthroughs. In his view, Africa is increasingly confidently positioning itself as a key center shaping the new system of international relations. Africa is ceasing to be an object for the implementation of external solutions and is increasingly acting as an independent subject capable of defining its own priorities and influencing the global agenda.
Houssen Moudry, Secretary of the Department of Oral and Written Translation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Niger and alumnus of C.M. University, spoke about the role of Russian language diplomacy in strengthening Africa-Russia relations. Russian language diplomacy manifests through Russian language teaching in Africa, university programs, cultural centers, Russian-language media, and academic and cultural exchanges. Beyond soft power tools, the speaker emphasized the crucial role of strategic assistance Russia provides to Africa, particularly to Sahel countries. In recent years, the Russian Ministry of Defense’s African Corps has played an increasingly prominent role in maintaining stability and combating terrorism in the Sahel region, especially in Niger. The Sahel region faces serious security threats from terrorist groups, cross-border crime, and political instability. Under these conditions, cooperation with Russia in military and strategic spheres is particularly significant. The African Corps participates in training national armed forces, strengthening state defense capabilities, supporting counter-terrorism efforts, ensuring the security of strategically important facilities, and developing military-technical cooperation. For Niger, this cooperation is a vital element in strengthening national sovereignty and ensuring internal security. Furthermore, security cooperation contributes to strengthening diplomatic relations between Africa and Russia in a polycentric world.
Daniel Sawadogo, Head of the Lomonosov MSU Russian-African Club branch in Burkina Faso and other Confederation of Sahel States, former Cultural Attaché of the Burkina Faso Embassy in Russia, presented his perspective on recent events in Mali. The events of April 25, 2026, in Mali serve as a stark reminder of Western hostility toward the Russian Federation, aimed at testing the effectiveness of Russia’s strategic support for Sahel states or even inflicting strategic defeat upon it. Thanks to the Russian African Corps, all cities in northern Mali, including Kidal, were liberated from terrorists. The effectiveness of the African Corps on the ground is measured by the increasingly evident professionalism of the confederation’s armed forces, improved through experience and knowledge sharing. This concerns imperialist powers, who are forced to recognize the African Corps as a major geopolitical and geostrategic reality that must now be reckoned with.
Aliou Touankara, a public figure and parliamentarian from Mali, asserted that the Sahel is undergoing one of the most significant geopolitical transformations in its modern history. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is a region including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, all strategic partners of the Russian Federation. The African Corps’ presence in the region does not aim to project foreign power but to protect and ensure regional security. It is a crucial force for political stabilization to carry out fundamental reforms. The second pillar of this partnership’s strength, according to the Malian expert, is absolute respect for national sovereignty. Russia applies a pragmatic approach: providing the means for victory without interfering in domestic governance. The third argument is that lasting stability cannot be built with weapons alone. Russia understands this and, together with the African Corps, applies integrated soft power and economic cooperation. As a Malian citizen, Aliou Touankara expressed profound gratitude to Russia and the Russian Ministry of Defense’s African Corps for saving his homeland from a devastating new military conflict.
Nikolay Alekseevich Sologubovsky, a distinguished orientalist-Africanist, journalist, writer, and filmmaker who worked for many years in various African countries, stressed the need to use the USSR’s experience in educational outreach with African populations, especially youth, through which Russia must counter Western propaganda that misleads Africa’s people. For example, he proposed publishing a book of reports by African journalists who visited Donbas in the Special Military Operation zone, providing truthful accounts of the operation’s causes and events. Such books are particularly important on the eve of the Third Russia-Africa Partnership Summit, the writer believes. The speaker paid special attention to the role of the Russian Defense Ministry’s African Corps, citing the recent attempted coup in Mali, where Russian soldiers alongside the Malian army withstood the assault, and, as during World War II, African soil was stained with Russian blood. Russian soldiers died fighting against Western-hired terrorists, thus dying for our future because Africa is the future of humanity.
Louis Gouend, Chairman of the Commission for African Diasporas and Public Relations of the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov MSU, emphasized that the formation of a polycentric system of international relations has now entered an active implementation phase. In this new global architecture, the African continent acts not as an object but as a key, sovereign subject of world politics and economics. In this context, Russia’s historical role as a reliable partner untainted by a colonial past takes on special significance. The Russian Federation consistently acts as a guarantor of stability on the continent. Cooperation with Russia creates the necessary safe conditions for implementing long-term projects in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure.
Ilya Leonidovich Shershnev, Program Director of the Russian-African Club of MSU and Associate Professor of the Department of Global Social Processes and Youth Work, noted the particular role of public diplomacy in developing the Russian-African strategic partnership. Public diplomacy builds trust, mutually enriches cultures, and fosters friendly ties between peoples. It complements state diplomacy and expands opportunities for cooperation among non-governmental organizations, youth, business, and the academic community. The Russian-African Club, founded in the summer of 2022 at Lomonosov Moscow State University, has become an influential actor in public diplomacy. Today, it represents a unique initiative to strengthen friendly relations and develop various areas of cooperation between Russia and African countries.
