Russia–Africa: New Horizons for Old Friends
Written by: Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
Cairo will soon host an important political event: heads and officials of the foreign ministries of Russia and the African countries will gather in the hospitable capital of Egypt to assess the state of Russian–African relations and set out the ways of their development.
For the first time, the ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, which is the official name of our meeting, will take place on the African continent. We are glad that a year ago, during the first such conference in the Russian city of Sochi, our partners responded to the proposal to host the ministerial conference in 2025.
Let me recall that the Partnership Forum was established back in 2019. We have already successfully held two Russian–African summits – in Sochi in 2019 and in St. Petersburg – another city in Russia – In 2023. Sectoral meetings on specific areas of cooperation are held regularly.
The work of the Forum is crucial for promoting the full range of Russian–African relations; it organically complements and enriches Russia’s relations with the African countries which are developing dynamically on a bilateral basis as well.
There are many reasons for Russia–Africa mutual attraction. African friends remember, and we appreciate it, that our country, it was the Soviet Union back then, supported their desire to break free from the shackles of colonial dependence. We are proud that our predecessors provided this assistance selflessly and with dedication. It was the Soviet Union that played the key role in the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples exactly 65 years ago. After that Moscow has consistently contributed to the formation of young African States, their national economies, and the establishment of education and healthcare systems.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin said, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was the major geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century. Our friends on the African continent felt its dismal effects. There was a noticeable slowdown in the relations at the turn of the millennium. However, the “end of history” did not happen, and today is the new heyday of the Russian–African friendship.
Russia appreciates that Africa is reawakening. In the middle of last century, the struggle culminated in decolonization, and now the African people are fighting for making all areas of their life sovereign. We fully support this fight. It is symbolic that at the UN and other international platforms Russia has been actively calling for enhanced efforts to eradicate modern practices of neo-colonialism. Many African countries are sending their representatives to participate in the “For the Freedom of Nations!” international movement established on the initiative of the United Russia political party.
It is important for us that Africa seeks to speak with a common voice in the international arena. Russian diplomacy will contribute to the development of the African continent as an influential centre of a multipolar world. This priority is enshrined in the Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation. We believe that the inalienable right of African countries to independently determine the ways and models of their development and to choose international partners.
As Russian President Vladimir Putin at one time said, “We have virtually no disagreements with any African countries and the level of trust and mutual affinity is high, mainly because our relations with Africa have never been tarnished. We have never been involved in the exploitation of African peoples.”
Russia and Africa are natural allies in democratization of international relations on the principles of the UN Charter in their integrity, entirety and interconnection.
We have consistently advocated the rectification of historical injustice and the essential consideration of Africa’s interests in the work on the reform of the UN Security Council. We welcome African countries’ broader involvement in the work of the BRICS association which is playing an increasingly important role in advancing the collective aspirations of the Global South and the Global Majority.
READ IN FULL: https://www.thediplomaticsociety.co.za/5445-russia-africa-new-horizons-for-old-friends