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The Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs was on Monday, October 3 on an official visit to Senegal, the country which holds the presidency of the African Union. This is the first leg of Dmytro Kuleba’s first African tour. While many countries on the continent – including Senegal – had abstained during the UN vote to condemn Russia at the start of the conflict between Moscow and kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba came to defend his country’s position and plead for a strengthening of cooperation.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Charlotte Idrac
« I’m not coming to Africa against anyone “, said the head of Ukrainian diplomacy. For Dmytro Kuleba, the continent is today a ” priority of Kyiv’s foreign policy
« I am here today because we respect Africa, and because we want you to know the truth, and to better understand us, as much as we want to better understand YOU, your concerns and your perceptions. I can easily imagine that the Senegalese may be perplexed about the origins of the conflict, far away in Europe. And we know how strong Russian propaganda is. You in Senegal would have rejected attempts to impose someone else’s will on you, because you are a proud and strong nation, and so are we. ».
President Macky Sall had been to Russia last June to meet Vladimir Putin. He was also invited by the Ukrainian President to kyiv. Aïssata Tall Sall, Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs. ” President Macky Sall carries this message of peace, so that we can resolve this crisis in Ukraine. Of course, he has received President Zelensky’s invitation, he will respond to it through the appropriate channels at the appropriate time. In any case, in this path for peace, Senegal wants to be a major player on behalf of the African continent. »
In the immediate future, a strengthening of cooperation has been announced in the fields of the training of diplomatic personnel, cybersecurity and digital technology.