The Russian Federation has distanced itself from Nigerian protesters waving Russian flags during recent demonstrations against President Bola Tinubu's policies. The Russian Embassy in Abuja clarified that Russia does not support or coordinate with the protesters, emphasizing non-interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
The Russian Federation has officially distanced itself from Nigerian protesters who have been waving Russian flags during recent demonstrations against President Bola Tinubu's policies. The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, have spread across various Nigerian cities, with many demonstrators expressing dissatisfaction with the government's removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and the devaluation of the Naira.
In a statement released on August 5, 2024, the Russian Embassy in Abuja clarified that Russia has no involvement in these protests and does not support or coordinate with the protesters. The embassy emphasized that the use of Russian symbols by the demonstrators is a personal choice and does not reflect any official stance or policy from the Russian government. They reiterated Russia's non-interference stance in the internal matters of foreign countries and expressed respect for Nigeria's democratic processes, provided that demonstrations remain peaceful.
The use of Russian flags by some protesters is reportedly linked to Russia's support for the military junta in the Niger Republic, which has led to speculation that protesters might be drawing symbolic connections between the two geopolitical situations. Despite President Tinubu’s recent promises to address some of the protesters' concerns, the dissatisfaction remains high, with demonstrators pledging to continue their protests until their demands for subsidy reinstatements and currency reforms are met.
