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More African countries could join BRICS, bolstering security across continent — analyst

Strengthening the African focus in BRICS will benefit both the organization itself and the countries that are currently being integrated into the structure, Andrey Kortunov said

MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. More African countries could join BRICS and it will improve security around the continent, said Andrey Kortunov, a research director at the Russian International Affairs Council think tank.

He made the statement at a roundtable discussion titled "Ensuring Security in Africa: Leading Players."

"BRICS is a mechanism for coordinating the positions of very different countries on non-conventional security issues. It is a platform where we can try to develop a common approach, for example, to information security," he said. "Strengthening the African focus in BRICS will benefit both the organization itself and the countries that are currently being integrated into the structure. <...> BRICS will be growing its African membership."

The expert said there are "very sensitive issues related to political radicalism, terrorism, religious fundamentalism." "Different points of view co-exist in BRICS, and if African countries join BRICS, this diversity will only increase, and this is why it is important to engage in a dialogue and try to find shared approaches," Kortunov said.

Following the BRICS summit in Johannesburg from August 22-24, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the organization will expand on January 1, 2024 when it will add new members Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia.

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