Moscow: Kiev regime openly supports terrorist groups in Africa

SIRIUS /Federal Territory/, Nov.9, (ST)- The authorities of Ukraine openly support terrorists in Africa and Russia will fight against this unacceptable practice, Georgy Mikhno, the acting head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for New Challenges and Threats (DNCT), said on Saturday.

“The destructive activities of the criminal Kiev regime, which openly supports terrorist groups in Africa, must not go unnoticed,” Mikhno said speaking at the first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which runs on November 9-10 on the federal territory of Sirius.

According to the diplomat, Russia will continue fighting against this unacceptable practice on the African continent as well as in the rest of the regions across the globe.

Previously made statements on behalf of Ukrainian officials regarding Kiev’s provision of assistance to terrorist forces in Mali are an obvious proof of their support for international terrorism, Mikhno pointed out.

“This is why, a decision of the Republic of Mali and Niger to immediately sever diplomatic relations with Kiev, is absolutely logical in our opinion,” he added.

Russia-Africa Partnership Forum

The first ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum is held on November 9-10 on the federal territory of Sirius. The event brings together around 1,500 participants, including more than 40 ministers from the African continent.

On Russia’s part Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in the conference. The press service of the Roscongress Foundation, which acts as an operator of the event, said earlier that more than 40 African ministers will take part in the first ministerial conference, with over 1,500 participants having confirmed their participation.

Moreover, the event is attended by the leadership of the African Union Commission and executive bodies of regional integration associations. Representatives of financial institutions, Russian and African business, public and scientific circles and mass media have been invited to participate in the business program of the conference.

The participants of the first ministerial conference will discuss issues of security, including information security, counterterrorism efforts and prevention of arms race in space, a source in the Roscongress Foundation told TASS earlier.

Discussions will focus on a wide range of issues, from cooperation in the security area, including international information security, counterterrorism efforts, prevention of arms race in space, trade, economic and investment partnership, food security and agriculture, geopolitical exploration to transfer of competences and digitalization of public administration, education, training of diplomats, healthcare and epidemiological welfare, while special attention is expected to be paid to cooperation between the countries of the African continent and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Source: TASS

B.Q.