By Aidoghie Paulinus
Experts from African countries have said that the congratulatory message of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the 38th African Union (AU) Summit held recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, highlighted China’s unwavering commitment to China-Africa relations and its steadfast support for Africa’s independence, self-reliance and development.
In the message sent on Saturday, February 15, 2025, Xi extended warm congratulations to African countries and people.
The 2025 AU summit, with the theme of ‘Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,’ reflects Africa’s pursuit of strategic autonomy and self-determined development.
The experts also said that China-Africa relations will continue to serve as a model of South-South cooperation, as the two sides work together on the path to modernization.
STRONGER GLOBAL SOUTH COOPERATION
In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that over the past year, the AU has united and led African countries in vigorously advancing integration, actively responding to regional and global challenges and speaking in unison as the ‘voice of Africa.’
Noting that the efforts have led to a continuous boost in Africa’s international status and influence, he sincerely wished African countries and people even greater success on their path to independence, self-reliance and development.
In her remarks, the newly elected AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Lerato D. Mataboge, could hardly contain her excitement during an interview.
“We’re quite honoured to receive the congratulatory message from President Xi. We all are quite proud of the China-Africa relationship over the years and the partnership in development,” Mataboge said.
Also speaking, a former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, after attending the opening ceremony of the AU summit, said: “President Xi’s congratulatory message on the ‘Global South’ is truly inspiring.”
Gambari, a former Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs and immediate past Chief of Staff to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, who has made many trips to China, highlighted China’s role in strengthening the Global South’s influence, especially within the frameworks of the G20 and BRICS.
“China was the first major country to openly support the AU’s entry into the G20, which ensures Africa’s voice is heard on the global stage,” Gambari also said.
On his part, the Chief Editor of Foreign News at The Guardian Newspaper in Tanzania, Benjamin Mgana, said global governance structures have long been dominated by developed nations, often sidelining the interests of the Global South.
Mgana also said by strengthening strategic partnerships with China and other emerging economies, Global South nations, including African countries, can navigate external pressures while pursuing self-reliant growth and sustainable modernization.
A Kenyan Scholar on International Relations, Adhere Cavince, said: “There is no doubt that China has become the biggest champion of pragmatic multilateralism, coming up with proposals that have significantly transformed the world economy.”