Putin aims to boost Moscow's clout with Russia-Africa summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin courted dozens of leaders of African nations Wednesday at the first-ever Russia-Africa summit while a pair of nuclear-capable bombers made an unprecedented visit to the continent, reflecting Moscow's new push for clout.

Speaking at the two-day summit attended by leaders of 43 of Africa's 54 countries, Putin hailed the continent's "enormous potential for growth" and negotiated deals to tap its riches including diamonds, uranium and oil.

Putin said Russia's annual trade with African nations doubled in the last five years to exceed $20 billion, and expressed confidence that it could double again "as a minimum" in the next four or five years.

Russia has worked in recent years to expand its influence in Africa, taking advantage of the seemingly waning US interest in the continent under President Donald Trump's administration.

Moscow has sought to revive relationships forged during the Cold War, when it poured funds and weapons into Africa in rivalry with the US, and has worked to cultivate new ties such as relations with South Africa.

Some analysts have said Russia has been late to engage a continent where China has invested hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure and other projects in recent years.

But Moscow portrays itself as free from the past baggage of colonialism and slavery that haunt some more traditional powers.

Russia already is building on its status as Africa's largest arms supplier. It has signed military cooperation agreements with at least 28 countries on the continent, the majority in the past five years.

Russian officials have talked about the possibility for Russian warplanes and navy ships to use ports and air bases in some African countries.

On Wednesday, two Russian Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers arrived in South Africa on a visit the Russian Defense Ministry described as a sign of "strategic partnership."