Kathrine Frich
A red carpet is unrolling in Moscow for a rare state guest.
The diplomatic push comes at a critical time for the host nation, which is urgently trying to rebuild its fractured reputation on the African continent.
Looking for new allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to host Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Kremlin. The three-day state visit, which kicked off on Wednesday, marks the first time a Tanzanian leader has traveled to Moscow since 1969.
According to the Russian state news agency TASS, the two leaders plan to discuss regional issues and lay the groundwork for the third Russia-Africa Summit. They are expected to sign a series of agreements covering higher education, science, and financial investments.
The East African leader will receive an honorary doctorate and present her economic strategy at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. But behind the formal state dinners and business meetings, a much larger geopolitical scramble is playing out.
The Mali disaster
This diplomatic offensive follows a disastrous spring for Russian operations in West Africa. In April, coordinated attacks by jihadist and separatist groups exposed major weaknesses in Moscow’s military reach across the Sahel.
Rebel fighters forced Russia’s Africa Corps to abandon the strategically vital northern town of Kidal in Mali. The violent uprising also claimed the life of the Malian defence minister, who had orchestrated his country’s tight alliance with Moscow, The Guardian reported.
The sudden collapse severely damaged Russia’s image as a reliable security partner. Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, told The Guardian that the situation in Mali is “definitely affecting the credibility of Russia’s interventions in the region.”
A different approach
The Africa Corps, which replaced the notorious Wagner mercenary group, has struggled to maintain control, leaving the Kremlin desperate for a diplomatic win. By pivoting to Tanzania, Moscow is trying to show the world it still has stable, willing partners.
Tanzania offers a completely different type of relationship than the embattled military juntas in the west. TASS reported that a dedicated Russian-Tanzanian business forum will focus heavily on infrastructure development and improving the corporate environment.
There is no mention of mercenaries or military interventions. Instead, Putin hopes to project a softer form of influence built around technology, education, and trade.
A highly visible partnership with Tanzania could reassure other African capitals that Russia remains a valuable ally, even as its armed forces stumble elsewhere.
Sources: TASS, The Guardian, International Crisis Group
