- Patrice Lumumba was a spokesman in the struggle for progress in Africa in the early years of African independence.
- Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) is one of best universities in Russia.
- During Sputnik’s dialogue on Russia-Africa cooperation speakers focuses on training highly qualified personnel.
Sputnik International Multimedia Press Center in Moscow hosted a roundtable discussion on Russia-Africa: Media Cooperation and Media Sovereignty.
Sergei Kochetkov, the first deputy editor-in-chief of the Rossiya Segodnya International Media Group, took part in the conversation. Oleg Ozerov, Head of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat and Ambassador-at-Large for the Russian Foreign Ministry, was also present. Additionally present was Svetlana Kukava, an observer for the global TV BRICS network.
Dialogue on improving Russia-Africa training
Najesh Missaoui, director general of the TAP News Agency (Tunisia), Roland Lumumba, president of the Patrice Lumumba Foundation and son of Patrice Lumumba, a national hero of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hassane Baba Diombele, director general of the Radio and Television Office of Mali (ORTM), and Eric Ndongo, director of Radio bonne nouvelle (Cameroon), all participated in the online discussion.
Oleg Ozerov, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Head of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Secretariat, announced the participants of the roundtable discussion on the conclusion of the legal procedure for returning the name of Patrice Lumumba, national hero and first prime minister of the DRC to the Peoples’ Friendship University (RUND University). The discussion on Russia-Africa cooperation focused on training highly qualified personnel.
“We restored historical justice. This is an important symbolic gesture, an indicator that Russia is turning its face towards Africa. Russia remembers the heroes of Africa and fighters for national liberation. Not just Patrice Lumumba, but also Nelson Mandela, and Kwame Nkrumah, and Leopold Sedar Senghor, and many others. Samora Machel, Ahmed Ben Bella, Gamal Abdel Nasser and all those who fought for national liberation, sometimes at the cost of their lives.“
Lumumba a martyr among African leaders
In response, the son of Patrice Lumumba, Roland Lumumba, welcomed this decision: “I am overwhelmed with pride that the name of my father was returned to RUDN University in Moscow. He was a spokesman in the struggle for progress in Africa in the early years of African independence. He was a martyr among the African leaders of his time. I have met people all over the world who told me that they graduated from Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow. This has always moved me.”
Speaking about work in the African field of work, Sergei Kochetkov, First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, noted: “A year ago, we launched a French-language website targeting African audience: Sputnik Afrique. During the year, it has shown very positive results: a significant increase in the number of unique visitors, and the audience is growing steadily.”
The media manager discussed strategies for boosting Sputnik’s French and English radio programming. The organization is also thinking about becoming an associate member of the African Broadcasting Union. Development of the SputnikPro initiative in Africa and the expansion of the Sputnik partner network through content sharing agreements are two additional emphasis goals.
Najesh Missaoui, director general of the Tunisian TAP News Agency, endorsed the need to advance relations between Russia and Africa in accordance with the values of justice and equality.
“The horizons of peace and international cooperation are still open, and cooperation between Russia and the African countries prove this. We hope this will become a model for establishing fair, equal and mutually enriching international relations.”
Africa wants to know what’s happening in Russia
The Director General of the Radio and Television Office of Mali (ORTM), Hassane Baba Diombele, emphasized the link between providing high-quality, fair news coverage and preserving a nation’s sovereignty: “Today we are trying to expand our capabilities in the field of processing news information coming from a variety of sources in order to be able to defend our national independence with the means that we have, together with our entire state and society. And our main tool is truthful information.”
Eric Ndongo, the director of Radio bonne nouvelle, emphasized the significance of disseminating information in the modern world.
“The African people want to know more; they want to know what is happening in Russia, China and other countries, because it has a direct impact on the life of the continent.”
Svetlana Kukava, a TV BRICS observer, concentrated on the function of BRICS in fostering intercultural communication. “The agenda is expanding; world leaders and international media are highlighting BRICS’ enormous potential. It is important to note that the BRICS agenda is focused on addressing international development issues that unite absolutely all of its participants. Members of our international TV BRICS network are taking constructive unifying initiatives aimed at finding joint answers to the most current questions.”
Top media executives from African nations participated in the roundtable discussion. The discussions took place before the summit between Russia and Africa, which will take place in St. Petersburg on July 27–28.
Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia
One of the top universities in Russia is Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN). The university, which was established in 1960, provides many specialities. It features six faculties, ten institutions, an academy, and higher school for quality education.
In addition to more than 40 scientific research and teaching units, the institution has more than 200 laboratories. They have cutting-edge tools, participate in annual scientific conferences, offer scholarships, and conduct national and international research.
RUDN brings together representatives from 500 different nationalities and 160 different nations. It boasts a campus that is like a city within a city, complete with academic and residential buildings, sports facilities and multiple stadiums, a clinic, and a cultural center on a 50-hectare property.
