Sochi, Russia – Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, expressed strong support for the priority outcomes of the African-Russian Ministerial Partnership Conference held in Sochi, Russia, on Sunday. He particularly highlighted objectives aimed at advancing decolonization in Africa and addressing the continent’s marginalization within the United Nations Security Council.
In his address, Mr. Attaf, representing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, welcomed the inaugural session of the African-Russian partnership conference and endorsed the establishment of this framework. He emphasized Algeria’s commitment to fortifying the institutional partnership between Russia and Africa, which he described as a valuable avenue for institutional collaboration.
The minister praised the comprehensive and targeted approach of the projects under discussion at the meeting, noting that the priorities presented align entirely with the aspirations of African nations today. These objectives, he stated, address critical issues and embody the shared ambitions of the continent.
Attaf further commended the specific goals listed among the conference’s final recommendations, particularly the complete and final eradication of colonialism from Africa, stating, “There is no place for either old or new colonialism in today’s world, and certainly not in today’s Africa.” He also highlighted the significance of cooperation in combating terrorism and related transnational crimes, which he described as the foremost security threat to Africa’s stability, progress, and overall development.
The foreign minister reinforced the importance of the “African solutions to African problems” principle, asserting that solutions imposed from outside have consistently failed to resolve the continent’s conflicts and crises. This, he argued, demonstrates the importance of Africa taking control of its own destiny.
Another key priority highlighted by Attaf was addressing the marginalization of Africa within the UN Security Council and other global economic and financial institutions. He pointed out that the exclusion of Africa from major decision-making bodies deprives the continent of its rightful influence over international decisions, including those that directly affect African nations.
Economic development in Africa, Attaf continued, is an equally important focus, with an emphasis on expediting progress on both the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and Africa’s 2063 Agenda. The minister stressed that any delay in Africa’s sustainable development efforts could significantly prolong the challenges facing the continent.
In addition, Algeria remains committed to supporting initiatives that boost trade volumes between Africa and Russia, as well as increasing Russian investments across African countries. Attaf emphasized that despite various threats and challenges, Africa continues to demonstrate to the world that it is a committed, reliable, and balanced partner striving to build mutually beneficial relationships that support sustainable development goals for all parties involved.
The minister also highlighted the unique nature of the African-Russian partnership, which he characterized as deeply rooted in history. He noted Russia’s historical support of African nations in their fight against colonialism and foreign dominance, and Russia’s substantial contributions to the development of African countries’ national capacities.
Expressing optimism about the future of this partnership, Attaf expressed hope for continued advancement, referencing the outcomes of the Sochi and Saint Petersburg summits. He stated, “We are aiming to add a new layer to this promising partnership by intensifying our joint efforts to realize the recommendations and decisions made at these summits.”
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Author: Nor-Eleslam
Keyphrase: African-Russian Partnership
