Belarus joins BRICS partners as Africa vies for membership
After Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda, Belarus has officially become a partner of the BRICS group, where Russia plays a leading role. The Kremlin envisions this alliance as a counterbalance to Western countries, particularly the powers in the G7.
BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, aims to transform the global economic structure.
Algeria, Nigeria, and Uganda became new partners of BRICS after the summit in Kazan, which concluded in October. Now, Belarus joins the group of partner countries.
The "partner" status in BRICS does not entail full membership in the organization, but obtaining it is a mandatory step preceding membership. This status allows participation in the group’s activities even if all formal criteria have not been met.
Queue of African countries to BRICS
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Comoros, Gabon, Morocco, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Angola are awaiting consideration of their applications. At last year's BRICS summit, a representative from Namibia was present, but the country ultimately did not opt for membership. Despite intense persuasion, Kenya, one of Africa's strongest economies, also did not join BRICS.
BRICS encompasses about 42% of the world's population, 30% of land area, and 24% of economic production. Despite this, the bloc faces internal divisions and differences.
China, with its robust economy, contrasts with Ethiopia, where nearly 30 million people live in extreme poverty. Disputes regarding relations with the United States and positions on Russia's invasion of Ukraine are additional challenges. The conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile could escalate into a war between Egypt and Ethiopia, while tensions between Algeria and Morocco present another challenge.
The increasing number of African members could both enhance BRICS' influence and provoke new tensions.
