'Russia is back in Africa'
2009-01-25 21:07
Khartoum - Russia is planning to step up
its diplomatic involvement in African issues, including Sudan's
Darfur crisis, the country's envoy to Sudan said on Sunday.
"Russia is back in Africa," Mikhail Margelov told reporters
at the start of a six-day visit to Sudan, adding that Moscow had an
"open door" to anyone looking for support for development
projects.
Russia's involvement in Africa peaked during the days of the
Cold War when it vied for influence over many of the continent's
newly independent states with the United States.
But Moscow's influence waned as the Cold War came to a
close. China has since become a major player in Africa, and is
now the biggest buyer of Sudanese oil.
"Russia is ready to play a more active role on the African
continent," said Margelov, who is also chairman of the Russian
Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee.
"We want our voice to be heard in all the international
discussions on African problems. We understand our part of the
responsibility for what is happening in the African continent
and we are serious about it."
Margelov said his government was still formulating its
position on Sudan's festering Darfur conflict, and on a looming
International Criminal Court (ICC) case against Sudan's president over
alleged war crimes in Darfur.
The global court's chief prosecutor has asked judges to
issue an arrest warrant against Sudan's president Omar Hassan
al-Bashir, accusing him of orchestrating genocide during almost
six years of conflict in the remote western region.
The judges are expected to rule on the request in coming
weeks.
Key position
Russia's position on the case is key because, as a permanent
member of the UN Security Council, it has the power either to
propose or veto a postponement of the ICC case.
Russia has so far not made any moves to postpone the
proceedings, nor has fellow council member China.
Margelov, appointed as Russia's envoy to Sudan in December,
said he was planning to visit Washington and European capitals
in February to discuss the ICC case and its impact on Sudan.
He
added he was also planning to visit Darfur and Juba, the capital
of Sudan's semi-autonomous south, during his visit.
"I will not say that Russia is ready to formulate its
position. We are working on our position now," he added.
International experts say 200 000 people have died and more
than 2.5 million have been driven from their homes since mostly
non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government in 2003,
accusing it of neglect.
Khartoum mobilised mostly Arab militias to crush the revolt
and denies accusations by activists that it committed genocide
during the counter-insurgency.