https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241109/africans-need-justice-and-equality-not-wests-mercy-congos-foreign-minister-says-1069136112.html
Africans Need Justice and Equality, Not West's Mercy, Congo's Foreign Minister Says
Africans Need Justice and Equality, Not West's Mercy, Congo's Foreign Minister Says
Sputnik Africa
The First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is taking place on November 9-10 in Sochi, Russia. The event aims to strengthen... 09.11.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-11-09T16:58+0100
2024-11-09T16:58+0100
2024-11-11T15:00+0100
opinion
africa in details
russia-africa cooperation
vladimir putin
russia
africa
cuba
sputnik africa
republic of the congo (congo)
central africa
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/0b/09/1069135726_3:0:1370:769_1920x0_80_0_0_ce7359142feeb019072c9b614661dff6.png
Africans seek justice and equality rather than pity or mercy, Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso shared his views on the West’s relationship with Africa in an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa.Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference, Gakosso highlighted Africa’s desire for “win-win” relationships, while praising Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to justice and equality between major powers and African nations.Reflecting on Africa's journey, Gakosso acknowledged the challenges posed by Western exploitation of the continent's natural resources.Gakosso noted that even though Africa is rich in resources, its development has not kept pace with its potential. While there has been some progress, it hasn't been as significant as hoped.Standing Strong Together: The Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Praises Russia's Resilience Amid 'Unjust' SanctionsThe minister also addressed the resilience of nations under sanctions, praising countries like Russia and Cuba for enduring despite years of external pressure.In expressing solidarity with Russia, Gakosso emphasized Africa’s historical partnership with Russia in fields such as decolonization, professional training, and international advocacy.Gakosso further criticized Western media bias, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine.The Western media's dislike of Russia is not a reason to show solidarity with Ukraine and broadcast anti-Russian propaganda all day long, the foreign minister said, adding that in his opinion, the whole thing "seems to be a bad tone."Furthermore, Russians and Ukrainians "will inevitably end up reconciling," the Congolese diplomat reckoned. The minister shared that when he used to study in the city of Donetsk, he "couldn't even tell the difference between Russians and Ukrainians," thus, he pointed out that "Africans are in favor of the peaceful path, and support President Putin's efforts."Regarding military collaboration, Gakosso underscored Russia's support in bolstering African armies, especially as the continent faces fragmentation left by colonial legacies. He noted that the Congolese defense minister would soon visit Russia to discuss military cooperation.Gakosso envisioned a future where Africa, united and industrially developed, could become one of Russia's strongest partners.The Congolese minister closed by reflecting on Russia’s anti-colonial legacy and Africa's shift toward partnerships built on mutual respect.He praised Russia’s early stance against colonization, calling it a “win-win relationship, based on mutual respect, not one where you look down on your partner.”
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241109/russias-respect-for-africa-stands-in-stark-contrast-to-western-misuse-herero-chief-katjiua-says-1069123914.html
russia
africa
cuba
republic of the congo (congo)
central africa
latin america
the caribbean
ukraine
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2024
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Christina Glazkova
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e7/0b/07/1063380906_0:0:673:674_100x100_80_0_0_79628b4d0cd9f29291a57aa13bbf9e7a.jpg
africa in details, russia-africa cooperation, vladimir putin, russia, africa, cuba, sputnik africa, republic of the congo (congo), central africa, sanctions, anti-russian sanctions, latin america, the caribbean, russia-africa partnership forum, colonialism, ukraine, ukraine crisis
africa in details, russia-africa cooperation, vladimir putin, russia, africa, cuba, sputnik africa, republic of the congo (congo), central africa, sanctions, anti-russian sanctions, latin america, the caribbean, russia-africa partnership forum, colonialism, ukraine, ukraine crisis
Africans Need Justice and Equality, Not West's Mercy, Congo's Foreign Minister Says
16:58 09.11.2024 (Updated: 15:00 11.11.2024) Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
Exclusive
The First Ministerial Conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is taking place on November 9-10 in Sochi, Russia. The event aims to strengthen comprehensive cooperation between Russia and African countries in all its dimensions: politics, security, economy, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian fields.
Africans seek justice and equality rather than pity or mercy, Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso shared his views on the West’s relationship with Africa in an exclusive interview with Sputnik Africa.
"Africans don't need Western mercy," he stated. "They are human beings like any others: they have to fight, they have to work, they have to shine in the world to which they belong."
Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa Ministerial Conference, Gakosso highlighted Africa’s desire for
“win-win” relationships, while praising Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to justice and equality between major powers and African nations.
Reflecting on Africa's journey, Gakosso acknowledged the challenges posed by Western exploitation of the continent's natural resources.
"They [Africans] were fooled by the Western powers who saw the African continent as nothing more than a source of natural resources," he remarked.
Gakosso noted that even though Africa is rich in resources, its development has not kept pace with its potential. While there has been some progress, it hasn't been as significant as hoped.
Standing Strong Together: The Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Praises Russia's Resilience Amid 'Unjust' Sanctions
The minister also addressed the resilience of nations under sanctions, praising countries like
Russia and Cuba for enduring despite years of external pressure.
"Cuba has been under sanctions since Methuselah, since the beginning of time, [and] Cuba still exists," he said, noting how such efforts often fail to weaken determined nations. "When they imposed sanctions on Russia, [...] I laughed in my heart because I knew it would never work. And today everybody can see that it's not working."
In expressing solidarity with Russia, Gakosso emphasized
Africa’s historical partnership with Russia in fields such as decolonization, professional training, and international advocacy.
“The demand for one or two seats for Africa on the UN Security Council has found a positive echo here in Russia,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of an equitable partnership.
Gakosso further criticized
Western media bias, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
"Finally, all the theories we have developed about the freedom of the press and the impartiality of the Western press have been exposed. Everything has been reduced to zero," he said.
The Western media's dislike of Russia is not a reason to show solidarity with Ukraine and broadcast anti-Russian propaganda all day long, the foreign minister said, adding that in his opinion, the whole thing "seems to be a bad tone."
"We can't wait for this conflict to end so that we can return to a healthier relationship between countries and a healthier relationship with the press," Gakosso concluded.
Furthermore, Russians and Ukrainians "will inevitably end up reconciling," the Congolese diplomat reckoned. The minister shared that when he used to study in the city of
Donetsk, he "couldn't even tell the difference between Russians and Ukrainians," thus, he pointed out that "Africans are in favor of the peaceful path, and support President Putin's efforts."
Regarding military collaboration, Gakosso underscored Russia's support in bolstering African armies, especially as the continent faces fragmentation left by
colonial legacies. He noted that the Congolese defense minister would soon visit Russia to discuss military cooperation.
"Africa's problem is that it needs to come together, because it's been too fragmented since the Berlin Conference," he said.
Gakosso envisioned a future where Africa, united and industrially developed, could become one of Russia's strongest partners.
The Congolese minister closed by reflecting on Russia’s anti-colonial legacy and Africa's shift toward partnerships built on mutual respect.
“Russia has never been a slave-owning country,” he said, contrasting this with Africa’s colonial experience with the West.
He praised
Russia’s early stance against colonization, calling it a “win-win relationship, based on mutual respect, not one where you look down on your partner.”
