The dawn of a renewed Russian-African alliance
Moscow, Russia - As the world turns to a new year, Russia is unveiling the "Africa Initiative," an intelligence agency that is set to mark a pivotal moment in Russian-African relations. The inauguration of the platform, housed in the iconic Federation Tower West on the Presnensky Embankment, has sparked talks of renewed cooperation and understanding.
Artiom Kureyev, editor-in-chief of the African Initiative news agency, emphasised the ethos of the new agency. "The goal of our information agency is to become the quintessence of an information bridge between Russia and Africa, a bridge that has been missing for a long time. Through it, we want to increase mutual awareness between Russians and Africans," he said.
Kureyev stressed the enormous opportunities that Africa represents for Russia. "Our soldiers, businessmen, doctors and journalists play an active role on the continent. However, more than reporting on events, we seek to dispel myths, dispel old propaganda clichés and present an unfiltered view of life in Africa," he added.
Russia's commitment to Africa is not new. Kureyev recalled the generous aid Russia provides to Africa. "It is worth mentioning the 6,000 scholarships awarded to African students at prestigious Russian universities. And it's not just in the field of education; our military advisers are making a significant contribution to protecting some African countries from external turmoil and terrorism."
At a time when the world is witnessing a surge in hybrid wars and neo-colonial powers seeking to maintain their influence in Africa, Russia remains steadfast in its principles. As President Vladimir Putin has put it, "an African solution to African problems". It envisages intensive cooperation in high technology, fuel and energy, agriculture and other areas. Kureyev echoed this sentiment, stressing, "We believe that this decade will usher in the flowering of Russian-African cooperation and bid farewell to Africa's neo-colonial phase."
The rich tapestry of Russian-African relations spans centuries. From the late 19th century, when Russian volunteers helped Ethiopia fight European aggressors, to the 20th century, when the Soviet Union played a decisive role in the rise of young African nations after independence, the bond runs deep. "Our history is full of stories of mutual support. Few people know this, but even Peter the Great had a close Ethiopian collaborator, Abram Hannibal, an ancestor of our esteemed poet Alexander Pushkin," Kureyev noted.
But amidst this rich history lies an urgent task: to dispel misconceptions. "There are myths about Russia in Africa that are often propagated by the Western media. At the same time, most Russians base their perceptions of Africa on outdated ideas. This initiative aims to correct that," Kureyev stressed.
The "Africa Initiative" is really taking off and promises to become not only a news platform but also a beacon for better understanding, shared growth and a harmonious future for Russia and Africa.
TASS/JaV
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