On 28–29 October, Moscow will host the Third Russia–Africa Summit, a gathering at the highest level. For me, as Deputy Chairman of the jury of the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, this meeting is an important signal: the partnership between Russia and Africa is built on respect for the sovereignty and culture of every country.
In our family there is a particularly warm attitude towards Russia and the African countries, and in many ways this is my grandfather’s legacy. General de Gaulle understood that the era of colonial empires had come to an end and that the right of peoples to determine their own destiny could not be stopped. He recognised this right for the African peoples. In 1960, during his presidency, more than ten African countries won their independence, and Algeria followed in 1962. 11 of these African countries freely chose their independence, while maintaining privileged bilateral relations with France.
Gaullism stands for sovereignty and distinctiveness, but also for multipolarity. General de Gaulle was a visionary, and one of the very first world leaders to prophesy the realities of the new world order.
Time has proved him right: today, independent Africa is a full-fledged participant in world politics and one of the centres of the emerging multipolar world.
The right of every people to follow its own path also underpins the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, on whose jury I have the honour to serve as Deputy Chairman. The Prize honours those who build bridges between civilisations through deeds rather than grand words.
It is no coincidence that its first laureate, in 2024, was the African Union: this is recognition of Africa’s significant contribution to strengthening peace. Africa does not wait for other people’s recipes – it builds peace on its own continent and brings that experience to the common cause.
Africa has something to teach Europe, too. African peoples carefully preserve their culture, family and spiritual principles and pass them on to new generations. A multipolar world is one of free development without colonialism or coercion, in which every country chooses its own course. It is precisely such a world that Africa champions today. The Russia–Africa Summit is a meeting of equal partners. What unites more than fifty African states, with their different languages, religions and historical experience, and Russia is the aspiration to follow their own path of development.
Cooperation in education, science and culture, as well as contacts between young people, can do more for the world than any declarations.
My grandfather spoke of peace from a position of strength and dignity. I would add that lasting peace is impossible without trust. I believe that the trust between Russia and Africa, based on mutual respect, will become an example for other regions and, in time, for Europe itself.
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