AFRICA GETTING CLOSER

The official visit of the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, to Azerbaijan marks a historic milestone, being the inaugural visit of a head of state from Black Africa to the nation.

In the past few years, Baku has significantly bolstered its stature on the international stage, especially among the Non-Aligned Movement states, attributable in part to its proactive global stance and advocacy for the rights of Third World nations.

Moreover, the Azerbaijani leadership's anti-French rhetoric has catalysed more robust dialogues with regional countries. Several former "French Africa" states maintain tense relations with the incumbent leader of the Fifth Republic, while others, including Congo, seek to distance themselves from Paris.

Macron As a Unifying Force?

In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron, during a discourse in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, initially proposed a redirection of France's African policy. Subsequently, in February 2023, he proclaimed a "profound transformation" in relations with the continent, aiming to terminate the locally perceived asymmetrical and paternalistic ties. Yet, no substantial changes ensued.

Among those maintaining "distinct" relations with French authorities is President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo, the continent's longest-serving leader at 79 years old, with a 39-year tenure.

During his Central and Southern African tour last year, Macron met President Sassou Nguesso and obliquely criticized him for not meeting the democratic leadership standards. In response, the Congolese leader urged Macron to regard his nation as an equal partner and abandon the "paternalistic view."

For Denis Sassou Nguesso, Azerbaijan might represent a nation that perpetuates the struggle against imperial legacies. Throughout the Soviet era, Congolese students attended the Azgos University of Oil and Industry, subsequently contributing to their homeland's oil sector. Additionally, Azerbaijani experts have assisted in advancing Congo's oil industry.

Energy and Beyond

Hence, during his dialogue with Ilham Aliyev, President Sassou Nguesso broached the enhancement of oil sector collaboration and the education of Congolese students at Azerbaijani universities.

For Azerbaijan, fostering ties with Congo paves the way for economic inroads into Africa, investment in burgeoning markets, and competition for the continent's abundant resources.

In this context, the "Agreement on the improvement and expansion conditions of the Congolaise de Raffinage refinery between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Oil Corporation of the Republic of Congo" holds significant weight.

The Congolaise de Raffinage (Coraf), operational since 1982, stands as Congo's sole oil refinery. Officially, Coraf boasts an annual output of 1.2 million tonnes, satisfying 70% of the domestic demand for refined petroleum products. The refinery's overhaul and capacity augmentation are pivotal to the nation's economic strategy.

As a reminder, in February 2021, Congolese officials, backed by Chinese investment, commenced the construction of an additional refinery near Pointe Noire.

In 2021, Congo's official oil production reached 344,000 barrels daily, ranking it as the fourth-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. The country's proven crude oil reserves are estimated at 1.6 billion barrels (38th globally), with natural and associated gas reserves at 90.61 million cubic meters.

On April 5, President Sassou Nguesso, while in Azerbaijan, along with other dignitaries, toured the Sangachal terminal and acquainted themselves with its operations. The terminal's model, or certain aspects thereof, could serve as a prototype for the Congo refinery expansion project.

Azerbaijan expresses keen interest in engaging in various Congolese investment ventures, primarily within the agricultural sector. Promising prospects for collaboration in renewable energy sources, energy, mining, and related fields have been identified, with expectations for intensified business interactions in the upcoming months.

The "Declaration on Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Congo," signed during the visit, establishes a political and legal framework for nurturing bilateral relations.

Azerbaijan's ASAN Service model, observed by African nations for years, could exemplify Azerbaijan's "soft power" on the continent. Ulvi Mehdiyev, the head of the State Agency for Citizen Services and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASAN Xidmət), has frequently visited African countries to present this initiative and share insights into its implementation with local administrations.

Notably, during his visit, President Sassou-Nguesso explored the activities of Baku's ASAN Xidmət No.7 centre and pledged to dispatch a Congolese state delegation to Azerbaijan to study the service's concept and foster bilateral ties.

Convergence of Agendas: Green Initiatives and the Non-Aligned Movement

Amidst President Sassou Nguesso's visit, the "Protocol of Intentions between the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Environment, Sustainable Development and Congo Basin of the Republic of Congo" was signed, heralding collaboration in environmental stewardship, sustainable resource management, and climate change mitigation. This protocol facilitates engagement within the green agenda, notably in anticipation of Azerbaijan's Global Summit of the SOR29.

Both parties have expressed a readiness to actively cooperate within international organizations, particularly the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that combating neo-colonialism was a principal focus during Azerbaijan's leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement, a theme of paramount importance in Azerbaijani foreign policy. "Some time ago, the Baku Initiative Group was established in Azerbaijan. It is an international institution. The main goal of this institution is to fight against new manifestations of colonialism, i.e. colonialism, and to support the peoples suffering from colonialism today, to provide these peoples with freedom on legal grounds," stated the Azerbaijani leader.

This discourse was furthered in Denis Sassou Nguesso's meeting with Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament. It was highlighted that the Parliamentary Network of the Movement, initiated by Ilham Aliyev in 2021, now includes over 70 countries. Baku anticipates the active involvement of both the National Assembly and Senate deputies of Congo in this network.

A Gateway to Regional Opportunities

It is noteworthy that Congo frequently faces criticism for various human rights and democratic freedom infringements. Despite this, the country often remains overlooked by international humanitarian organizations, leaving it to address numerous social challenges independently.

In September 2023, amidst a spate of coups across African nations, Western media began disseminating rumours of a military takeover in Congo. This report was evidently provocative, as President Sassou Nguesso was attending the UN General Assembly session in New York at the time. The Congolese government subsequently refuted these claims, denouncing them as fabrications.

Nations like Congo require not only investment but also bolstered information security and global support. Consequently, political collaboration was a focal point of the visit.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo is recognized not merely as one of the continent's seasoned leaders but also as a figure of considerable influence. His reflections post-visit are pivotal for the evolution of Baku's rapport with African nations. A shared stance on critical international and regional matters facilitates the establishment of constructive dialogue. While Azerbaijan is expanding its influence in "French Africa," once dominated by Paris, Congo concurrently seizes the chance to advance its interests in the distant yet potentially pivotal Caspian Sea and South Caucasus regions.

The precedent set by President Sassou Nguesso might inspire other African leaders to emulate his approach. This trend could herald a significant transformation in the international relations paradigm, with medium and smaller powers increasingly adopting proactive policies beyond their traditional spheres of influence.