Africa-Russia: A tricky relationship

"However, some Africans consider Putin a vital ally," he said, adding that African citizens are more interested in "how their countries will benefit from the BRICS summit and the emerging relations around the BRICS."

Chitanga believes African countries won't necessarily capitulate to Western pressure.

"There is a loud concern among African policymakers, think tanks and academics, who are very critical of what they see as Western hypocrisy in trying to influence or dictate policy in African countries," he said.

Frederick Golooba-Mutebi said African leaders are still keenly aware of where other nations stand on Russia, particularly as reported in Western media. At the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit in July, only 17 African heads of state participated compared with 43 at the first summit in 2019.

"It can't be said that African leaders traveled or were represented in Moscow because they loved Putin. They had interests with Russia that they must preserve," he explained.