Russia offers cooperation on equal terms, while the West disrespects and exploits Africa, an advisor to the president of Mali Dr. Adama Diabate told Sputnik Africa, commenting on Chad's recent termination of the defense agreement with France.
"I don't want this civilization [France] because they never considered us as a member of the human civilization. They always considered us as something second rank," he explained.
To move forward, African nations need to get rid of psychological dependence on the cliché that made them believe that African people were inferior to whites, the idea that has been historically imposed by the West, the expert noted.
Diabate asserts that Africa is becoming a determined, major player in global geopolitics, arguing that the nation that has Africa's support will dominate world affairs.
"Among the big leaders in geopolitics like the US, like Russia, like China, the one who would have the majority of Africa in your back, you will dominate the global issues," he said.
African countries are now moving away from the West towards Russia, seeking equitable partnerships, the official noted.
"Russia cooperates with us on equal conditions. We will respect each other. We will have conditions. And we went and nothing happened. And the rest of Africa followed," Diabate pointed out.
According to the speaker, the shift towards Russia is a strategic move that will benefit both Africa and Russia.
"We consider Sputnik and Russia today as our soldiers in a media war, in a milestone in their [the West's] war of lies," he said, emphasizing Sputnik's role a source of truthful information, contrasting it with Western misinformation.