*As Putin courts African allies amid pressure from West
By KEMI KASUMU
As the United States fails to support media outlets seeking to promote stronger ties between Africa and the United States, RT, the Kremlin-backed television network formerly known as Russia Today, is setting up its first Africa bureau to counter accusations from the United States and Europe that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is unjustified.
According to Today News Africa’s publisher in a link sent to The DEFENDER from Washington on Monday, the Russia’s television channel bureau in Africa will also counter West’s accusation that Russia is the one driving up global food and fuel prices.
RT will be competing against other government-backed broadcasters such as British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and China Global Television Network (CGTN).
The development comes as President Vladimir Putin seeks to court African allies amid pressure from the west following the devastating invasion of Ukraine that has displaced millions of people and killed thousands on all sides.
It also comes as the United States fails to support African media outlets seeking to promote ties and interactions between the United States and Africa.
Media outlets such as Today News Africa, which focus on highlighting ties between the United States and Africa, have not received any support from the United States, even as China and Russia invest heavily to dominate the narrative on the continent.
