African countries are so blessed with resources and minerals that other countries, most especially Western countries in their greed, can’t help but measure their wealth based on the resources of Africa as if they are the owners. It’s so shameful that Western countries, like France for example, who say they are so-called global powers have the majority of their wealth come from Africa. During the just concluded 2nd Russia Africa summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa used the platform to urge African countries to stop those countries that count their wealth based on the minerals and resources of Africa.

The 2-day 2nd Russia Africa summit held in St.Petersburg was organized to boost political and humanitarian partnerships between Russia and Africa. The summit was held in the face of waning influence and deteriorating relationships between Western countries and the African continent. Although the West has tried to pressure African countries, giving them so-called warnings about the growing influence of Russia in Africa, African leaders have maintained their stance that they are open to partnership with any country as long as their goals align.

At the summit, the leader of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa started his speech by acknowledging the efforts of Russia to deepen relationships and collaboration with Africa. He referred to how the government and people of the then-Soviet Union supported Africa’s struggle for liberation. He went on to talk about the upcoming BRICS summit of which South Africa would be hosting, saying that the summit is an opportunity to promote enhanced global cooperation to achieve common prosperity for all the nations of Africa and that the summit would give particular attention to infrastructure development, supported by the New Development Bank, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Continuing, the President went on to talk about how African countries are shaping their own destinies and will no longer follow the selfish dictates of other nations. Against the current status quo where other nations are the ones who use most of the resources in Africa, the President stated that African resources must first and foremost be harnessed for Africa’s benefit and to develop African economies. Echoing the words of Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, President Cyril Ramaohosa stated that African countries will no longer export their raw minerals and resources, but export finished products that have value. It was at this point He urged African leaders firmly to stop those countries that count their wealth based on the resources of Africa. Speaking on this practice by western countries, He made reference to the past when the West counted their wealth in terms of the number of slaves they owned.

He then declared that Respect and mutual benefit would be what will be the basis of Africa’s relationship with other countries. In other words, any country that would not respect Africa and seek to undermine the sovereignty of African countries should say goodbye to working with Africa. The President also stressed that every African country should be able to make their own independent foreign policy without any interference from any global power or blocs.