Russia and African countries agree on cooperation for colonial reparations and cultural heritage restitution, according to the final statement of the Russia-Africa summit.
The statement emphasizes the participants’ commitment to “contribute to the completion of decolonization in Africa and demand reparations for the economic and humanitarian damages inflicted on African nations due to colonial policies, including the restitution of cultural artifacts looted during colonial times.”
Both sides also agreed, as mentioned in the statement, to oppose all forms of discrimination and intolerance, including “aggressive nationalism, neo-Nazism, new fascism, and xenophobia towards Africans and Russia.”
During the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin highlighted that Russia is capable of replacing Ukraine’s grain exports to Africa and is willing to start supplying grain for free to six countries on the continent within three to four months. These countries include Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea, with each receiving between 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain.
The second Russia-Africa summit commenced in St. Petersburg on Thursday and is scheduled to last for two days. President Putin described it as a significant event that will bolster relations with the African continent.