Lukashenko: Africa's time has come, the continent's states need to gain economic independence

Africa's time has come, but the countries that have gained political independence have yet to free themselves from economic dependence, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at an official reception held in his honor on behalf of Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, BelTA has learned. “The world is changing. It will never be the same.

There will never be a return to the way it was. The people of the world are realizing this. Most of them have realized that Africa is the future.

Africa's time has come. Frankly speaking, it will be very difficult for countries like Equatorial Guinea and Belarus to stand alone in this turbulent world. In order not just to withstand, but to occupy our place in this rapidly changing world, in order not to perish, we must stay close to each other.

Only together, walking shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, we will be able to stand ground,” the Belarusian leader said. In his words, many of the fifty African states have gained political freedom, but a lot was still to be done. “Hard times are ahead.

African countries need to gain economic freedom and economic independence. Almost half of the world's natural resources are accumulated in Africa. This half of the world's natural resources must benefit the people of the African continent.

This is the essence of economic freedom, which you must achieve,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He assured that Belarus would be a reliable friend of Equatorial Guinea and its people along this way. The Belarusian head of state mentioned his counterpart's words at the talks both in Minsk and Malabo that Equatorial Guinea had been building and developing infrastructure for decades, but was a bit behind in providing for its people: “I told