Veteran Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has highlighted the secret behind the flourishing ties between Russia and the African continent, revealing: “We discuss our desires without blackmail.” Lavrov was speaking during his closing remarks at the First Ministerial Meeting of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which was held in the southern holiday city of Sochi, Russia.
Hordes of African foreign ministers attended the inaugural meeting, and where they were absent their representatives attended on their behalf, therefore making the event a full-house affair. The Forum is the take-away from the Russia-Africa summit that was held in Russia in 2023, featuring African heads of state and hosted by Russian president Vladimir Putin.
At the Forum, Lavrov, who played host to his African counterparts and peers, rallied all around the urgent need for cooperation and solidarity across the Global South. He warned: “The West does not want to lose its hegemony.”
He further cited the role of Western colonialism in the subjugation of Africa, and recalled how the Soviet Union had been the bedrock of support for freedom fighters and liberation movements across Africa – without expecting anything in return and never ever making demands on any African state. As they say, “honesty is the bedrock of a good relationship”.
The time has come once again, Lavrov said, for close cooperation between Moscow and the continent. “Together we will be strong,” he said. He revealed that Russia will increase its material support in Africa, including in areas such as education, technology and the military. “Russia will continue to add up its supply of agricultural products to the continent, particularly among the poorest nations. The supply of fertilizers was particularly of urgent need”, Lavrov said.
