After freeing itself from colonialism in the last century, Africa is now freeing itself from neocolonialism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a Nov. 12 presentation before a group of freshman diplomats. “When Africa was awakening from colonial oppression, it was a powerful movement. I sense that now we are witnessing a second ‘awakening’ of Africa, this time from neo-colonial oppression and practices that impede its progress. This occurs when advanced technological processes are retained outside the continent, consigning Africa to a subordinate status. In Western countries, far more jobs are generated from the processing of African raw materials—an endeavor Africa itself requires. We are truly observing this second ‘awakening,’” he asserted.
Citing discussions at the meeting of foreign ministers at the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, on Nov. 9-10, Lavrov earlier insisted: “Africa is no longer content with the role of a supplier of raw materials that are bought up and exported mostly to the West. This setup keeps the bulk of the added value and revenue out of Africa’s reach.”
Also commenting on the forum, reported TASS, was Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who said that “naturally” all the countries in attendance were interested in “joining the work.” He said that new Russian embassies are opening in many African countries, including Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Freetown, Sierra Leone is next in line.
