Africa becoming ‘a new center of power’ – Putin

The era of hegemony of one or several states is fading into the past, the Russian leader said

Africa’s political and economic power is growing, while formerly dominant world powers are losing their influence, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg on Friday.

“Before our eyes, the African continent is becoming a new center of power. Its political and economic role is growing exponentially. And everyone will have to reckon with this objective reality,” the president said during a plenary session of the summit.

Putin stressed that the era of hegemony enjoyed by one or several states is now fading, despite resistance from those seeking to maintain a monopoly on world affairs.

The president also pledged that Russia will continue to expand its interaction with African countries, calling it a natural process. He noted that despite the difficult conditions on global markets, trade between Russia and the continent continues to grow, and is far from reaching its limit.