US, EU seeking to restore Africa colonial dependence: Russian FM

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The United States and European countries are seeking to restore Africa's colonial dependence as they seek to put an end to the continent's cooperation with Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday. 

"With a persistence worthy of better application, [American, British, and EU states] require African countries not to cooperate with the Russian Federation, not to go against a general discipline, by which they, the West, understand the restoration of colonial dependence, by and large, but already in a new form," Lavrov told journalists after a visit to Eritrea.

African Energy Chamber chairman NJ Ayuk said in October that France was concerned with Russia's growing influence in Africa, as Paris considers the continent to be its sphere of influence.

There are many countries that are interested in cooperating with Africa, which raises concerns in Paris because the continent is considered to be France's "property," Ayuk said, adding that the main concerns are caused by the situation in Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, and Mali.

He also went on to highlight how Africa had enormous potential for economic development and how it had been exploited for centuries.

"The richest continent, including in terms of natural resources, which have been subject to exploitation for centuries. And the West seeks to maintain its exploitative policy toward Africa even today," Lavrov stressed.

Moreover, the Russian top diplomat added that the West's hybrid wars would not be able to stop the development of new centers of economic and political power.

"The formation of a multipolar world is an objective and unstoppable process," Lavrov said. "No hybrid wars that the West unleashes, including the one they have unleashed in Ukraine, can stop the development of new centers of economic power, financial and political influence."

As the rift between Russia and the West grows, African nations seem to be going in the opposite direction and warming ties with Moscow. 

Most recently, Uganda seems to be partnering with Russia on a multitude of issues and strengthening relations on a high level, with officials declaring Russia an ally, a partner, and a friend of the African country.

According to the Ugandan leadership, both President and Land Forces commander, Russia has supported Uganda in its anti-colonial fight for 100 years and they will not forget this.

Taking this dynamic alliance further, Ugandan Land Forces commander Muhoozi Kainerugaba acknowledged Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement regarding a possible nuclear war through a tweet on his personal page, highlighting that any attack on Russia is an attack on Africa. 

Highlighting how the US was losing its unipolar hegemony over the world, Lavrov said countries such as China and India had already surpassed the United States in various fields.

"Turkey, Egypt, countries of the Gulf, Brazil, and other Latin American states are developing as influential and independent centers. All these are the future centers of multipolarity," Lavrov said.

Additionally, Russia moved against the sanctions imposed on it and made food deliveries, as well as fertilizers, and energy to Africa as the West was seeking to undermine cooperation between the two.

Lavrov's visit to Eritrea came as part of his African tour, which saw him visiting several countries throughout the continent.

On Monday morning, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor received Lavrov in the administrative capital city of Pretoria for bilateral talks.

Lavrov said Russia and South Africa planned to develop bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and the exploration of natural resources.

Lavrov arrived in the Kingdom of Eswatini on Tuesday as he continued his Africa tour.

The Russian minister met with Eswatini Foreign Minister Thuli Dladla, acting Minister of National Defense and Security Prince Sicalo Dlamini, and Prime Minister Cleopas Dlamini in Mbabane.

Eswatini shares borders with South Africa in the south, west, and north, and with Mozambique in the east. The country is completely landlocked and is positioned on a plateau that descends in ledges from west to east. It is also worth noting that Eswatini remains a member of the British Commonwealth countries.