Eritrea and Russia have a long and complicated relationship, dating back to the Cold War era when the Soviet Union supported Eritrea’s struggle for independence from Ethiopia. While the two countries have had a somewhat rocky relationship in the years since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, there are signs that they are interested in strengthening ties. In this article, we’ll explore the historical background, economic ties, and military cooperation between Eritrea and Russia.
Historical Background
Eritrea’s struggle for independence from Ethiopia in the 1960s and 1970s was supported by a number of countries, including the Soviet Union. The Soviets provided military and financial aid to Eritrean rebels fighting Ethiopian forces, and Eritrea gained its independence in 1993. Following independence, Russia and Eritrea maintained diplomatic relations, but their relationship has been somewhat rocky at times. In recent years, however, there have been signs of a thaw, with Russia expressing interest in boosting ties with Eritrea.
Economic Ties
Eritrea is a relatively small economy, but it has a wealth of natural resources, including gold, copper, and zinc. Russia has expressed interest in investing in Eritrea’s mining sector, with a number of Russian companies already operating in the country. For example, in 2018, the Russian company Polyus launched a joint venture with Eritrean state-owned mining firm ENAMCO to explore the country’s gold deposits. In addition to mining, there is also potential for cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and tourism. In 2019, the Eritrean government signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s Rosneft to cooperate on developing oil and gas fields in Eritrea.
Military Cooperation
Eritrea has a relatively large military for its size, and Russia has been a key supplier of arms and military equipment to the country. In recent years, there have been reports of Russian military advisors working with the Eritrean army, and some analysts have suggested that Russia may be interested in establishing a military presence in the country. However, the extent of military cooperation between the two countries remains somewhat unclear. Some experts believe that Eritrea’s strategic location on the Red Sea may be of interest to Russia, given its potential as a site for a Russian naval base or refuelling station.
Political Alignment
Eritrea and Russia have generally been aligned on geopolitical issues, particularly in their support for non-intervention in the affairs of other countries. Both countries have been critical of Western intervention in the Middle East and Africa, and have sought to strengthen ties with other countries in the region. However, there are some areas where their interests may diverge, particularly in relation to Ethiopia. Eritrea and Ethiopia have had a long-standing border dispute, and Russia has maintained friendly relations with Ethiopia, leading some analysts to suggest that Moscow may be hesitant to get too closely involved in the Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict.
Culture Exchange
While economic and military ties have been the focus of much of the discussion around Eritrea and Russia’s relationship, there is also potential for cultural exchange between the two countries. Eritrea has a rich cultural heritage, with a diverse array of ethnic groups and languages. Russia, too, has a long history of cultural traditions, from literature and music to ballet and visual arts. There have been some initiatives to promote cultural exchange between the two countries, including a visit by a Russian cultural delegation to Eritrea in 2018. While such efforts may seem small in the context of the broader relationship between Eritrea and Russia, they can help to build bridges and deepen understanding between the two countries.
