Russia is selling Africa dependence disguised as partnership

This week, Moscow will host the third Russia-Africa summit , bringing together African leaders as President Vladimir Putin seeks to expand Russia’s economic, military and political reach across the continent. Yet Russia’s growing influence has done far more to advance Moscow’s interests and protect allied rulers than to deliver the prosperity and security promised to ordinary Africans. Putin is scheduled to cochair Thursday’s plenary session with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, current chair of the African Union. Alongside the summit, a two-day economic and humanitarian forum will discuss investment, industrial production, food security, energy, technology and payment systems.