The United States Congress has recently proposed a bill that will grant the government the rights and power to punish African governments suspected to have or are currently aiding or abetting the ‘malign’ Russian interests on the continent. Named the ‘Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act,’ the bill was passed by the House of Representatives on the 27th of April by a huge majority margin of 419-9 and is now sure to be passed by the Senate and become an official law of the United States.
Once constitutionalized, it would mandate the U.S Secretary of State to develop and submit to Congress a strategy and plan for the United States to counter the “malign influence and activities of the Russian Federation and its proxies in Africa.” Said malign activities are quite broad, said to be activities defined to be “undermining the United States objectives and interests.” As such the US government would need to counter such activities through things like the US Foreign Aid Programme as well as hold accountable Russia and such African countries aiding and allying with the Federation.
Gregory Meeks, member of the New York Chapter of the Democrats Party and Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said that the bill was intended to combat the Russian Government’s efforts to exploit and manipulate resources in parts of Africa as well as use those resources to dodge sanctions and “undermine U.S interests.” He also claimed that the bill was supportive of Africa as it would protect innocent people who he claims have been “victimized by Putin’s mercenaries.” Furthermore, it accused the Central African Republic (CAR) and the country of Mali specifically as locations where the alleged mercenaries have committed human rights violations and thwarted western interests. As of the time of writing the Senate is yet to meet over the proposed bill and despite all opinions being in the surety of its passing, a final decision is yet to be made.
