Russia did not set any conditions for the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine to Tunisia. On Feb. 12, Algeria announced that it would receive 40 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine; in parallel, Moscow granted Algerian authorities a license to manufacture the vaccine on its soil. Many observers believe Russia is engaging in vaccine diplomacy to strengthen its influence in the Maghreb. Russia has succeeded in supplying Algeria with Sputnik V vaccines, while Morocco chose early on to rely on Chinese vaccines, just like Egypt. What is certain is that Washington's reluctance to intervene in this area over the past year has widened the margins of action for Russian vaccine diplomacy.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 01, 2021 03:33 UTC