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Vladimir Putin

Harare Bureau
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has congratulated President Mugabe on the occasion of Africa Day celebrations which are commemorated annually on May 25 within the continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963.

President Mugabe is the only surviving Head of State and Government who attended the formation of the OAU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a statement yesterday, President Putin said: “Please accept sincere congratulations on the occasion of the Africa Day, a festive day symbolising the unity and mutual supportiveness of the peoples of your continent, their victory in the difficult struggle for freedom and independence.

“Today, African states are moving confidently forward along the path of social and economic, scientific and technological development, they are playing an ever-growing role in addressing urgent issues on the international agenda.”

President Putin added that Russia highly appreciated and supported the activities of the African Union, other regional and sub-regional integration associations of the continent aimed at expanding the mutually beneficial multilateral cooperation, establishing an effective crisis response system, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.

“We intend to further make every effort to strengthen the relations of friendship and cooperation with African countries, as well as to continue our participation in various assistance programs and projects for Africa implemented under the auspices of the UN, G20, BRICS and other international structures.

“I sincerely wish you good health and every success in your state activities, and peace and well-being to the peoples of Africa,” said President Putin.

President Mugabe’s stance on self-determination for the continent has seen him being hailed as a true and senior African statesman who wants to see the continent develop.