Attaf: “The definitive end of colonialism and the eradication of global marginalization of Africa” 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the National Community Abroad, Ahmed Attaf, praised on Sunday in the Russian city of Sochi the priorities included in the outcomes of the African-Russian Partnership Ministerial Conference, especially those related to completing the decolonization process in Africa and ending the marginalization imposed on the continent in the UN Security Council.

Mr. Attaf expressed, in his speech, Algeria’s welcome to the convening of the first session of the African-Russian Partnership Ministerial Conference, in which he participates by the mandate of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and its support for the establishment of this important mechanism to enrich and enhance the institutional framework of the Russian-African partnership.

The minister commended the projects presented for consideration and approval at the meeting, in terms of their comprehensive nature and “their accuracy and clarity in defining the goals and objectives we aim to achieve, as well as their complete alignment with the aspirations and ambitions of the African continent at this stage.”

In this context, Mr. Attaf particularly praised the priorities that were formulated and included in the meeting’s outcomes, especially those related to completing the decolonization process in Africa and eradicating it completely, because “there is no place for colonialism, old or new, in today’s world and in today’s Africa.”
He also emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in combating terrorism and related transnational and national crimes, “because this scourge has become the most prominent security challenge threatening Africa’s stability and undermining its development and renaissance.”

The Foreign Minister also mentioned the topic of activating “African solutions for African problems,” highlighting that “solutions imposed from abroad have never proven their role in extinguishing the fuses of conflicts and resolving the various crises and disputes that the countries and peoples of the continent endure.”

Among the priorities included in the conference outcomes is the issue of the imposed marginalization of the continent in the UN Security Council and various global economic, financial, and monetary organizations.
Mr. Attaf warned that this is “the greatest source of our continent’s absence from international decision-making, even those that directly concern it.”

Enhancing the components of economic development in Africa and directing efforts towards accelerating the realization of the 2030 Agenda and the 2063 African Agenda constituted the fifth priority, regarding which the minister emphasized that “Africa’s lag in sustainable development will have a significant impact on prolonging the challenges facing the continent’s countries and peoples.”

With the same level of commitment – the Foreign Minister added – “Algeria supports the set goals to shore up the volume of trade exchanges between Africa and Russia, as well as to increase the value of Russian investments in African countries,” adding: “Despite all the challenges and threats it faces, Africa has consistently shown the whole world that it is a committed partner, a reliable partner, and a partner that always seeks to build balanced relationships that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals for the benefit of all without any exception, exclusion, or discrimination.”

On the other hand, the minister touched upon the features of the African-Russian partnership in his speech, which he said is “based on a deeply rooted historical legacy of the valuable support that African countries received from their Russian friends during the struggle against colonialism, occupation, and foreign hegemony.”
He added that it “has grown and developed due to Russia’s recognition and significant contributions to enhancing the capabilities of independent African countries and supporting them in establishing the foundations of their national economies.”

He also expressed hope in elevating this partnership to the “highest possible ranks,” considering the “commitment and aspiration” shared by both parties to contribute to building a system of international relations in which each of our countries receives its rightful share of security, stability, and prosperity.

And here the foreign minister stated, “Today we aspire to add a new brick to the edifice of this distinguished and promising partnership, by uniting and intensifying our efforts to realize the decisions and recommendations that emerged from the Sochi and Saint Petersburg summits.”