A “strategic session” devoted to cooperation between Russia and Africa was held in Moscow. It was attended by representatives of Russian government bodies, diplomatic missions and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), including Patriarchal Exarch of Africa Metropolitan Konstantin.

This was reported on the official ROC website.

According to the report, participants in the event exchanged views on how Russia should develop its relations with African countries going forward.

In particular, the head of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa spoke about “missionary work.” He noted that, “despite the successes, the Russian Federation and the Russian Orthodox Church face serious challenges in Africa, including the organization of social and educational activities in countries across the continent.”

LF Commentary.

We assume that this meeting between the authorities and the ROC was a kind of response to the numerous media scandals surrounding Russia’s joint pro-government and church expansion into Africa. In recent months, a number of Western media outlets, including The Washington Post, Associated Press, BBC, Deutsche Welle (DW), The Independent, The Guardian and Le Monde, have reported on Africans who were recruited through deception and killed in Russia, with some of this recruitment carried out with the assistance of ROC structures.

At the aforementioned “strategic session,” the ROC helped legitimize the official Kremlin’s objectives in this expansion.

Earlier, Bishop Khrizostom of Bukoby and Western Tanzania (Patriarchate of Alexandria) called on the ROC to “get out of Africa.” He believes that money will not help the Russians establish themselves on the continent.

As LF reported, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has stated the reason and objective behind the expansion of its influence in African countries. The Church believes that “Africans are experiencing a spiritual thirst and see the ROC as a large, strong church that they find interesting.” This was stated by the Patriarchal Exarch of Africa, Metropolitan Konstantin of Cairo and North Africa.

As LF reported, the Kremlin uses the Russian Orthodox Church as an instrument of influence in Africa and, with its assistance, recruits local people to take part in the war against Ukraine.

We previously reported that the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church lures Kenyans into the war in Ukraine. Young Kenyan citizens are offered the opportunity to travel to Russia for work or study, with the Church undertaking to sponsor their travel.

The Russian Orthodox Church is known to regard Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as key countries for developing its mission in Africa. This was stated by Metropolitan Konstantin (Ostrovsky) of Cairo and North Africa.

Earlier, we wrote about how Russia is “reshaping” Africa and the Global South.