By Austin.thomas@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina has told this medium that Africa is a big stage for international cooperation, not an arena for major-power rivalry.
He said the China-U.S. relations should not be a competitive relationship or a zero-sum game in which one loses and the other wins, as it is the same for the China-Africa relationship. He said China and the United States respect each other, they live in peace and cooperate for win-win results, and it is the same relationship that they have brought to Africa as they both are helping Africa to develop.
“Both countries are the first and second largest economies in the world and they have more to offer Africa and they must work together in developing the African continent rather than undermining one another’s interest.”
He said the profound traditional friendship between China and Africa is rooted in their mutual support for the cause of national liberation and mutual assistance on the road to development. It is also based on a friendly cooperative relationship that features sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith, as well as mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit.
Ambassador Ndomahina said Africa is a continent on the rise and a fertile field of hope, full of vigor and vitality, as he underscored that without peace and development in Africa, there will be no stability and prosperity in the world.
“What Africa needs is solidarity and cooperation, not confrontation. No country or person has the right to force African countries to pick sides, rather we must work with all parties so as to gain experience from them. Africa should be a stage for international cooperation, not an arena for major-power rivalry.”
He said there should not be competition, but the two powers should work together for Africa’s peaceful development and for Africa’s greater representation and voice in the international governance agenda.
He reiterated that Africa is happy to see any country that is sincere in helping them achieve peace and development. “If African friends are willing, the continent is ready to carry out trilateral or multilateral cooperation with any country in Africa and jointly make a greater contribution to Africa’s development and rejuvenation.” AT/15/1/2023
