Asia & Africa today
Media registration certificate: № 0110157 от 04.02.1993
The monthly academic journal and Russia's only periodical focusing on topics and issues in Asia and Africa. (The issues of CIS countries are not considered in the journal.)
Published since July 1957
Until March 1961 has been issued under the title "Sovremennyi Vostok" / "Contemporary East".
Founders
- Russian Academy of Sciences
- Institute of Oriental Studies RAS
- Institute for African Studies
Publisher
- Russian Academy of Sciences
The journal is published under the supervision of the RAS Department of Historical and Philological Sciences (OIFN RAS).
About the journal
Mission of the Journal is to provide a platform for authoritative researchers from Russia, CIS and other countries to discuss processes and events taking place in Asia and Africa.
"Asia and Africa today" publishes scholarly articles on the political, economic and social processes of Asian and African states, their culture and art, reviews of Asian and African literature. The Journal also publishes reviews of the most important scientific events - international conferences of orientalists, symposia and scientific expeditions.
"Asia and Africa today" journal’s authors and audience includes scholars, researchers, PhD students and humanities students, as well as politicians, public figures, experts of Russian and foreign organizations that work with Asian and African countries.
The author's point of view does not necessarily coincide with that of the editorial board.
Objectives
Analysis of socio-political, economic, demographic, environmental, cultural and other processes in Asian and African countries and their history.
The major areas and subjects for presentation in the journal:
- political development of Asian and African countries;
- economic problems of Asian and African countries;
- international relations;
- development economics;
- Asian and African states’ activities in UN and regional international organizations;
- pandemic in Asia and Africa;
- globalization and regionalization;
- civilizational development issues;
- problems of society and the state, democracy and autocracy;
- the emergence and features of civil society;
- food problem in developing states;
- demographic processes and migrations of the population
- aggravation of environmental problems in Asian and African continents;
- ethnic and interfaith conflicts;
- Islam and Christianity and their influence on political processes in Asian and African countries;
- culture, science, education, literature, art;
- religions, beliefs, cults;
- traditions, customs, morals;
- chapters of history;
- Russia – Asia and Africa (political, economic, cultural and other relations of Russia with Asian and African countries).
Tasks
- Assistance to scientific research in the field of Oriental and African studies. Publication of materials on the basis of topical research and theses, and also based on the results of overseas trips and fieldwork. Reviews of key Russian and international conferences and symposiums.
- Involving prominent Russian and foreign researchers as authors.
- Reviewing the most significant works and monographs on the journal’s topics.
- The practical help to young orientalists and africanists. Publication of their materials under the heading "Post-graduate Column".
- Cooperation with Oriental research Centres and Faculties of the Russian higher education institutions, as well as with foreign higher education institutions and research centres. Attraction of researchers and academic lecturers as journal authors. Strengthening and development of cooperation with co-founders of the journal - Institute of Oriental Studies and Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Policy
- Prompt reaction to the events taking place in Asian and African countries.
- Extending of topics and improvement of quality of materials to be published.
Indexing
The journal is included in the Higher Attestation Commission List of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Russian Scientific Citation Index – a database, accumulating information on papers by Russian scientists, published in native and foreign titles. The Russian Scientific Citation Index project is under development since 2005 by “Electronic Scientific Library” foundation ( elibrary.ru).
- Russian Science Citation Index on Web of Science in partnership with Russia’s Scientific Electronic Library ( eLibrary.ru).
- EBSCO Publishing
Current Issue
Open Access
Access granted
Subscription Access
No 5 (2024)
Articles
K 85-letiyu akademika A.M. Vasil'eva
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):5-5
5-5
Politics, economics
India’s Role in Promoting International Cooperation in the Arctic
Abstract
Abstract. India, despite having no access to the Arctic Ocean, during the 20th century showed increasing interest in the Arctic and sent its scientists to the region. In 1928, Indian scientist Bibhuti Bhushan Banerjee was invited on an expedition to Wrangel Island in the Arctic, where he spent about 3 years and collected a lot of data on the local flora and fauna. Today, India is actively involved in international scientific research projects in the Arctic on climate and biodiversity. India is also interested in developing trade and economic ties with Arctic nations. It has changed its approach towards the Arctic and is trying to find opportunities to take the place of countries that have suspended cooperation with the Russian Federation in the Arctic region. India is also interested in exploring and exploiting Arctic resources such as oil and gas due to technological advancements in Arctic exploration. India’s growing interest in the Arctic could lead to a change in the composition of players in the region and a realignment of economic, scientific, and technological ties between India and Russia.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):6-14
6-14
Seaports of China: Main Indicators, Characteristics and Features
Abstract
Over the past two decades, the Chinese component has become virtually the basis of the world maritime trade. According to some indicators of the maritime industry, China surpasses not only the world’s leading economies, but also the total indicators of most continents. After the reform of the port management system, port enterprises began to change their business methods with the help of innovative concepts and taking into account the development of the market. China’s ports are developing in the direction of scaling up, intensification and modernization. China is improving the efficiency of transportation and creating a modern logistics system, an effective institutional system to promote comprehensive infrastructure development. Systems of inland waterways, railway systems of container transportation, multimodal transport hubs and logistics centers are being built at an accelerated pace to form an interconnected transport network using information and communication technologies in logistics. China’s port industry has certain features and characteristics, reflected in the article in the form of analytical theses.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):15-22
15-22
From Ne Win to Min Aung Hlain: Astrology, Numerology and Apotropaic Rituals as a Part of Myanmar Military Elites Policy
Abstract
The article raises the problem of public appeal to fortune-telling practices, such as astrology, numerology and special protective rituals (yadaya) by current military leaders of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is noteworthy to say that such practices are inextricably linked with traditional Buddhist concept of kammic kingship. Such model draws on the so-called kammic path: improving kamma through merit-making activities as well as building or renovating stupas or Buddhist monasteries. Esoteric practices (astrology and numerology) provide donors with precise information on favorable time and date for carrying out merit-making ceremonies according to private horoscope of a particular donor. As the yadaya ritual carries out a protective function it could be linked to the so-called apotropaic Buddhism, according to M.Spiro classification. In public life the appeal to such practices make possible to reduce bad forces impact on future events. The evidence of various divinatory practices and protective rituals usage are mentioned in written sources on precolonial history of Myanmar. In that case the public appeal to such practices today could be seen as a logical transformation of popular historical tradition.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):23-31
23-31
Evolution of the Saudi-Egyptian Relations
Abstract
This article delves into the evolving relationship between Saudi Arabia and Egypt under the leadership of Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, particularly focusing on recent developments since 2022. It argues that a notable systemic shift has occurred, transforming the previously symmetric interdependence between the two states into an asymmetric dependence, which now favors Saudi Arabia. By comparing past instances of Saudi-Egyptian interactions during conflicts such as the Syrian crisis in 2016 with their current disagreements over the Palestinian-Israeli question, the article illuminates the primary catalyst behind Egypt’s current posture of appeasement towards Saudi Arabia. The analysis underscores how this new alignment configuration has markedly restricted the maneuverability of Egyptian elites in their engagements with Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, it highlights Saudi Arabia’s proactive efforts to leverage its enhanced bargaining power vis-à-vis Egypt, strategically influencing the latter’s foreign policy decisions toтbetter align with Saudi interests. This shifting dynamic carries significant implications for regional geopolitics, signaling Saudi Arabia’s rising dominance and its assertive approach in shaping Egypt’s foreign policy trajectory. As such, it signifies a notable alteration in the power dynamics within the Middle East.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):32-39
32-39
60 Years of Union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar
Abstract
The article is devoted to the allied relations between Tanganyika and Zanzibar and the creation of a union state – Tanzania. 2024 is the 60th anniversary of the union between the two formerly sovereign states. The author dwells on the key events in the history of Tanganyika, Zanzibar, and Tanzania in the 60s of the 20th century: the Zanzibar Revolution of January 1964 – an anti-imperialist, anti-feudal, anti-Sultan, anti-Arab armed uprising; the fall of the Zanzibar Sultanate, ruled by Britain; elections in Zanzibar, in which the Afro-Shirazi Party and the Nationalist Zanzibar Party competed; independence of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. The TANU (Tanganyika African National Union) became the leading and only party in Tanganyika; the ASP (AfroShirazi Party) became the leading and only party in Zanzibar. In 1977, the parties united into the Revolutionary Party, or CCM (Chama Cha Mpinduzi), which has dominated the political arena in Tanzania even after the introduction of multiparty system in the 1990s The article examines the model of African socialism – the Tanzanian ujamaa and its fate in subsequent years in already liberal, multiparty, capitalist Tanzania, under all presidents: Nyerere, Mwinyi, Mkapa, Kikwete, Magufuli, Suluhu. Reminders of Tanzanian socialism and ujamaa in the text of the Union Constitution remain unchanged for the time being
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):40-45
40-45
Mozambique: Islamic Radicalization as a Factor of Political Instability
Abstract
The radicalization of Islam in Mozambique is rapidly changing the country’s religious landscape and contributing to the spread of religious intolerance. Before the 2000s, Mozambique had rarely encountered serious manifestations of interfaith tension, but since the mid-2000s, traditional Sufi Islam began to be supplanted by the ideology of Wahhabism amid a general destabilization of the socio-political situation in the north of the country, primarily in the province of Cabo Delgado. At the end of the 2010s, armed Islamist groups began to operate in Mozambique, coordinated by the umbrella organization Ansar al-Sunna, which in 2019 became part of the Central African province of the Islamic State, and in 2020 – an autonomous province of the Islamic State. The rise of extremism and terrorism in Mozambique is actively supported by Islamists in Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya, as well as in the states of North Africa and the Persian Gulf, i.e. the activities of Ansar al-Sunna have already acquired a regional character. One of the triggers of the intensification of rebel activity in the 2010s was the discovery in Cabo Delgado of the large gas and ruby deposits.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):46-55
46-55
Ethno-Social Aspects of Conflict in Northern Mali
Abstract
The article offers an attempt to classify opposition and pro-government armed groups in northern Mali with a stress on their ethno-component. This factor is considered combined with two others – illegal business and jihadism. Such three factor analysis in a complex and situational milieu gives way to show that the formation of armed groups, their strategic alliances and competition are dependent on traditional status among the different ethno-fractions of the Tuaregs and Saharan Arabs. In the situation of racial stand-off the armed groups of the Songhai and Fulani play a minor role. Corruption, drug trafficking and clan ties come across such Eurocentric analytical stereotypes as government – insurgents, army – separatists, jihadists – nationalists. Recent escalation of conflict in northern Mali that pushed unexpectedly to unite opposition and former pro-government armed groups, calls into question the policy aimed to weaken the armed opposition by manipulations with ethnic factor.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):56-65
56-65
Scientific life
An African Woman in the Fight against Terrorism and Violence
Abstract
In November 2023, the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences hosted the AllRussian scientific conference with international participation “Gender-based violence in Africa: origins, motives, types. Methods and ways of struggle”. The attendees discussed such topical issues as the specifics of the formation and development of gender relations in traditional African societies as some of the causes of gender inequality and violence; prohibition systems and aggression in mythology and folklore; domestic violence; belittling of social status based on gender and age in the ethno-linguistic environment. A separate block of issues were female aggression in war and peace; gender discrimination among the population of refugee camps and victims of the slave trade; the gender aspect of violence and terrorism in the Sahel countries. Some reports were devoted to religion and discrimination of adherents on gender, ethnic and racial grounds; sexual violence and combating it in modern African states as well as gender violence and inequality in Muslim societies; civil and professional destinies of foreign women in Africa. The reports noted that states and society should create the conditions for the protection and self-realization of this part of the continent’s population, its active inclusion in socio-political processes.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):66-70
66-70
Culture, literature, art
Noo Saro-Wiwa: in Search of Africa
Abstract
The turn of the 20th–21st centuries was marked by the flourishing of African and especially Nigerian literature. Among those who became famous in the 21st century are Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Teju Cole, Chigozie Obioma, etc. Noo Saro-Wiwa, a British writer of Nigerian origin, author of the best-selling books “Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria” (2012) and “Black Ghosts: A Journey into the Lives of Africans in China” (2023), can be considered the Queen of contemporary travel writing. The special appeal of her works lies in the masterly combination of travel literature and memoirs. A detailed description of events’ chronicle, travel impressions, air and nature, people and conversations with them turns her books into a real testimony of the era and tends to be documentary prose. She gives preference to it due to the fact that “truth is more important than fiction”. The daughter of the famous Nigerian poet and publicist, political activist and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995), the writer focused the readers’ attention on many of the most pressing political, economic, social, environmental, and demographic problems. These include colonialism and decolonization, racism and gender inequality, emigration and the history of Diaspora. The writer is of particular interest in the amazing mobility of the Chinese, internal and external migration, their activities in Africa. She admires the nature, ancient and medieval culture of China and at the same time records manifestations of racial hostility of the Chinese towards Africans, considering them unacceptable. She compares Chinese and Africans, identifying similarities and differences. And if addressing Nigeria’s past and present is her Mission, China is an option, one of many. Currently, she is one of the most engaged authors and most famous African women, winner of a number of prestigious literary awards.
Asia & Africa today. 2024;(5):71-78
71-78