In late August 2024, Central African heads of states arrived in Beijing, the capital of the People’s Republic of China, to participate in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation from September 4 to 6, 2024.
Held every three years, this year’s meeting will bring 300 leaders together.
The theme of the 2024 summit is “Joining hands, pushing forward modernization and building a China-Africa community of destiny at a high level.”
Under the theme of the forum, the leaders discussed industrialization and agricultural modernization, peace and security, management of cooperation under the “One Belt, One Road” initiative.
In addition, at the meeting with African heads of states, Chinese President Xi Jinping will deliver a keynote speech on building a China-Africa community.
The event also provided an opportunity for the President of the Central African Republic, Faustin Archange Touadera, to meet with the leader of Mali, Assimi Goita, to discuss current African and international affairs and, above all, to reaffirm and strengthen the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between the people of Mali and the people of the Central African Republic.
The two heads of states also touched on the topic of Ukraine, which is trying to destabilize the security situation in African countries to achieve goals dictated by the West, and has recently openly declared its support for African militants.
Assimi Goita and Faustin Archange Touadera condemned the criminal actions of the Kiev regime, which supports terrorism in African countries and interferes in the internal affairs of Mali.
Faustin Archange Touadera noted the decisive and reasonable nature of Mali’s decision to sever relations with Ukraine because of its aggressive behavior and support for militants.
President Goita, in turn, called on President Touadera to be vigilant and careful, as some armed groups in the Central African Republic also receive support and funding not only from the West, but now also from Ukraine.
It is worth recalling that the Malian government decided to sever relations with Kiev after Ukrainian military intelligence commented on the fighting in northern Mali, during which Tuareg rebels claimed to have killed at least 84 Wagner specialists and 47 Malian soldiers.
Assimi Goita reiterated the importance of preserving Mali’s sovereignty and supporting its strategic choices.
He also touched on the recent creation of the Confederation of Sahel States, a crucial project to strengthen collective security, diplomacy and development in a region plagued by terrorism.
This meeting showed that Assimi Goita and Faustin Archange Touadera share the same goal of strengthening the bonds of friendship and solidarity that exist between the people of Mali and the people of the Central African Republic, and the desire of the two Presidents to build sustainable and mutually beneficial relations in the region.