Romania Seeks to Expand Relationships in Africa After Neglecting Them in the Past
to these countries, a service offered by Romania over the past years,” Mr. Iohannis wrote on Facebook, concluding that the tour was nevertheless “another encouraging stage in the broader strategy Romania pursues with regard to our traditional partners in Africa.” President Klaus Iohannis concludes his four-nation tour of Africa, which is widely considered part of an effort by smaller former communist states to compete against Russia on the African continent. The Romanian leader expressed the need to put his former communist state “back on the African radar” during his 10-day visit to the continent, which was the first by a Romanian leader in 30 years, aiming to correct the “strategic error” of neglecting the relationship with Africa. His tour was met by critics back home who questioned the value of the trip and its economic benefits for Romania. However, the president pushed back, insisting that it was necessary to revitalize the country’s relationship with Africa. His strategy aimed to exploit opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and open new sectors of economic collaboration. Mr. Ondo Ze, a political science lecturer, sees the growing rift between African states and the West as an opportunity for Romania to assert itself and revive its past cooperation with Africa, without harboring any ambitions to compete with foreign powers. Mr. Iohannis’s visit to Africa ended with a three-day stay in Senegal, where he met with former students from Senegal who studied in Romania, attended the inauguration of the United Nations House, and visited Goree Island. He also visited Cape Verde, where he reinforced diplomatic ties through various meetings and engagements. Additionally, he signed several Memorandums of Understanding in Kenya and Tanzania. However, there were mixed reactions to his visit, with critics questioning the benefits of such a trip. Romania recently adopted a new strategy for Africa, aimed at revitalizing high-level political dialogue and revitalizing economic and sectoral relations with African states. The trip comes at a time when Tanzania is seeking to restore bilateral ties with international partners, and Romania is working to consolidate its presence and influence in Africa.
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