The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) seeks Russia’s support in ensuring internal security, Oita Etyang, Head of Governance, Peace and Security at COMESA, told Izvestia. The organization relies on Moscow for support in the fight against terrorism, transnational crime, and other threats. Armed groups’ activities undermine trade, logistics , and investment in these countries. Experts believe that previous cooperation models involving European countries have left African nations disappointed so that they are now searching for new partners.
Russia has considerable experience in addressing such threats, Maya Nikolskaya, head of Moscow State Institute of International Relations’ program titled “Africa in the focus of Russian interests,” noted. Such work could involve various training programs, particularly aimed at preventing radicalization and terrorist activities.
