Africa-Russia: A tricky relationship

A section of African leaders who attended the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit in July. [Courtesy, Picture Alliance]

Gideon Chitanga, a research associate at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, told DW that Putin's presence "was going to be a huge distraction," due to the "all the controversies which arose from his indictment" by the International Criminal Court.

"His absence at least helps, for now, in keeping focus on the key issues," Chitanga added. "In other words, there will be less noise concerning President Putin, his arrest and probably the whole issue surrounding relations between Russia and African countries."