President of Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traoré highlighted the significant role that Russia played in liberating the world from nazism during the Second World War, which he believes is often overlooked. Speaking at the plenary session of the Russia-Africa summit, President Traoré emphasized the sacrifices made by Russia in this historical struggle.
He also pointed out that the contributions of both Africa and Russia in the fight against nazism have been forgotten and not given due recognition. President Traoré expressed his view that Africa and Russia are often marginalized and referred to as the "forgotten peoples of the world." He emphasized the importance of discussing the future of their respective countries and aspirations, as well as the need for non-interference in their internal affairs.
The leader of Burkina Faso emphasized that Russia and his country share "the same prospects" and expressed hope that the current summit would be a significant opportunity to establish a just peace and foster bilateral relations.
During his address, Traoré delved into the topics of sovereignty and the fight against imperialism. He questioned why resource-rich Africa continues to be the poorest region in the world, and lamented the lack of satisfactory answers to this pressing issue. However, he remained optimistic about the possibility of forging new relationships that could lead to a brighter future for Burkina Faso. The president highlighted the prolonged suffering of African nations due to the brutal forms of colonialism and imperialism, which he likened to modern-day slavery.
Traoré stressed that passivity is not an option, likening it to being an unworthy slave. He called upon African heads of state to assert their independence and resist being manipulated like puppets by imperialists. The focus should be on ensuring self-sufficiency for their respective countries, including food security, and fulfilling the needs of their people. He concluded his speech with the words of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara, expressing pride, respect, and the desire for victory for their nations. During the summit, the 35-year-old president of Burkina Faso appeared in a camouflage uniform and donned a red beret.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS
Based on materials from TASS