President Ruto to skip Russia-Africa summit

The State House spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision is consistent with the position of African Heads of State and Government, who believe that in order for Africa to engage in meaningful discussions with global partners, partnership summits organized by external parties must be reviewed in order to establish an effective framework for African Union partnerships.

"The President will therefore be represented in accordance with Decision 762, and he has informed the Chairperson of the AU accordingly," the statement reads in part. 

The summit, which will be held in St. Petersburg on Thursday and Friday, will be attended by President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to hold intensive one-on-one talks with individual African leaders about issues ranging from trade to security, arms deals, and grain supplies.

The event follows Moscow's first Russia-Africa summit in 2019 and is part of a concerted push for influence and business on a continent where mercenaries from Russia's Wagner Group remain active despite an abortive mutiny at home last month.

According to Russian diplomat Alexander Polyakov, quoted by the state TASS news agency earlier this month, 49 African delegations have confirmed their participation, with roughly half of them being represented by their heads of state or government.