Romania Courts New Friends in Africa After ‘Strategic Error’ of Neglecting Relationships

President Klaus Iohannis ends his four-nation tour, widely seen as part of attempts by smaller former communist states to compete with Russia in Africa.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (C) inspects the Guard of Honor as he arrives for the ceremonial welcome at the State House in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 14, 2023. Simon Maina/AFP via Getty Images

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis says he has used his 10-day visit to Africa—the first by a Romanian leader in 30 years—to put the former communist state “back on the African radar.”

Mr. Iohannis’s Nov.14 to Nov. 23 tour of Africa—which took him to Kenya, Tanzania, Cape Verde, and Senegal—was shrouded in controversy back home, as critics questioned the very high travel costs and its economic benefits for Romania.