'Africa Needs Help' to Become Free 'From Western Domination,' Serbian Political Party Leader Says

18:33, 31 July 2023
Gleb Chugunov
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Vojislav Seselj, leader of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), made his comments amid a working visit of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to Serbia. The parties signed documents on the exchange of agricultural and food technologies, as well as on cooperation between the country's Trade Ministries.
Sputnik
The African continent needs help in the fight against Western hegemony, the leader of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) Vojislav Seselj told Sputnik.

"Africa needs to be helped in every way possible to free itself from colonialists and neocolonialists, foreign hegemony and Western domination as soon as possible," he stressed.

In addition, Seselj stated that he supports a removal of Niger's president, who, according to the US media, was a pro-Western leader.

"I know the official policy of Russia, but at the same time I cannot but welcome the coup in Niger, which overthrew the pro-Western regime from power. We have seen how the people there massively support Russia and take to the streets with Russian flags," Seselj added.

As for Russia's stance on the situation in Niger, Moscow has stated it favors the restoration of law and order in the West African nation, urging the sides to restrain themselves.

"We are in favor of the restoration of the rule of law in the country as soon as possible, we are in favor of restraint on all sides so that it does not lead to human casualties," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov outlined.

Speaking about relations with the African continent in general, Vojislav Seselj stated that both Russia and Serbia are now intensifying cooperation with Africa.
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"Russian-African and Serbian-African cooperation coincide, but this coincidence could have happened spontaneously. SRS supports this policy of the authorities in Belgrade [Serbia’s capital], we are for the resumption of friendly relations with all African countries. I see that both Russia and China are working on this," the Serbian politician stressed in a conversation with the agency.
He recalled the numerous African students in Yugoslavia (a country Serbia was once part of), and cooperation through the Non-Aligned Movement.
In addition, the politician stressed that one of the dormitories of the University of Belgrade, one of the city's streets, as well as Russia's Peoples' Friendship University are named after late former leader of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Patrice Lumumba.

"Africa appreciates and respects the role of the USSR in the fight against colonization, assistance to liberation movements, and Yugoslavia helped as much as it could at that time. I have a negative opinion of Josip Broz Tito, but the segment of assistance in decolonization, the establishment of political and economic cooperation was positive," the leader of the Serbian party said.

Earlier, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that by the end of August, a delegation of the Serbian Cabinet of Ministers and experts will visit Uganda to specify cooperation in agriculture and other areas, including defense, where there has been cooperation in previous years, "which can be increased."
He also expressed hope that direct flights between the nations will be established by the end of 2024.
RussiaRussia-Africa cooperationRussia-Africa SummitSerbianeocolonialismcolonialismAleksandar VucicSoviet Union (USSR)Dmitry PeskovNigerYoweri Museveni