Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was warmly received by Kenyan President William Ruto in Nairobi on Wednesday, commencing the first African tour by an Iranian leader in over a decade. This three-day tour was deferred by a day and unfolds as Iran seeks to consolidate diplomatic support to diminish its international isolation.
President Raisi’s diplomatic journey extends to Uganda and Zimbabwe, where meetings with President Yoweri Museveni and President Emmerson Mnangagwa respectively are on the itinerary.
Africa has risen to prominence as a significant diplomatic theatre recently, with both the West and Russia vying for support amid the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This conflict has had severe economic repercussions on Africa, escalating food prices considerably.
The West, alongside India and China, have been endeavouring to amplify trade ties with Africa. China, in particular, has embarked on a substantial infrastructure investment drive across the continent.
President Raisi’s delegation, as reported by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, comprises the foreign minister and numerous senior business figures. Nasser Kanani, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, has dubbed the tour as “a new turning point,” with potential to enhance economic and trade relations with the African nations.
Kanani also suggested on Monday that Iran and the three African countries share common political perspectives.
In an attempt to alleviate its isolation and mitigate the consequences of debilitating sanctions reimposed since the 2018 United States withdrawal from a meticulously brokered nuclear deal, Iran has escalated its diplomatic endeavours in recent months.
Last week, Iran was admitted to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which comprises Russia, China, and India. On Saturday, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf was hosted by President Raisi in a bid to solidify relations with Algiers.
In March, Tehran agreed to re-establish ties with Saudi Arabia in a China-mediated agreement. Subsequently, Iran has sought to revive relations with other regional countries, including Egypt and Morocco.
Following his Latin American tour in June, where he visited Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, President Raisi embarked on a trip to Indonesia. The upcoming tour of Africa highlights Iran’s continued effort to broaden its global alliances and ease its diplomatic isolation.
Image Credit: SIMON MAINA / AFP
