By Dikeledi Molobela
St. Petersburg, Russia – President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with other African Heads of State and Government, were this evening hosted at a Welcome Reception by Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia.
President Ramaphosa is leading a delegation at the second Russia-Africa Summit which aims to foster mutually beneficial cooperation and partnerships between Russia and the African continent.
Delivering his opening remarks, President Putin told the African leaders that he was glad that the Heads of State and Government, leading politicians and statesmen from almost all African countries have arrived in his country.
“This august assembly that gathered in our northern capital is a brilliant testimony of the neutral willingness of Russia and the African continent to reinforce and deepen mutually beneficial ties and contacts.
“This is also testimony to our real willingness and our joint determination to propel relations between Russia and African countries to renew advanced level in politics, security, economy and the social sphere.
“We cast an optimistic glance into the future because Russian-African relations are founded upon the indivisible ties of friendship and neutral help that has been accumulated as well as the experience of joined work and our rich history full of events,” he said.
He highlighted that the Soviet Union provided an important support to African countries in the fight against colonialism, racism and apartheid, adding that Russia will continue to sustain these good traditions.
“It is also worth noting that currently Russia and the African countries are working together advocating a just multipolar world, based on such principles as sovereign equality of countries, non-interference within their domestic affairs, and also respect for the rights of countries to set their own future and of course, our country is going to make a real contribution to settling the current crises and preventing the emergence of new ones,” he said.
He added that Russia is willing to work for the future, building a genuinely strategic, mutually beneficial partnership.
African Peace Initiative
Earlier in the day, President Cyril Ramaphosa met with African Heads of State who are part of the African Peace Initiative on the Russia-Ukraine War. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the second Russia-Africa Summit.
This meeting precedes the Working Dinner, which the African Peace Initiative will have with President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation on Friday.
The Heads of State involved in the peace initiative include President of Senegal Macky Sall, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Union of the Comoros and chairman of the African Union Azali Assoumani, President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso who was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Claude Gakosso.
Last month, the seven African Heads of State embarked on a peace initiative mission to Ukraine and Russia in a bid to foster peace between the two countries.
Following the meeting with the African Heads of State, President Ramaphosa held a bilateral meeting with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
South Africa and Egypt share good diplomatic ties and both countries are part of the African Peace Initiative which is in pursuit of a peaceful end to the Russia-Ukraine War. – SAnews.gov.za
