Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast announced the creation of an international prize named after Russian President Vladimir Putin “For the struggle for the liberation of the peoples of Africa.”
The prize was established by Sylvain Takoue, an Ivorian writer and member of the NGO Total Support for Vladimir Putin in Africa.
“The Vladimir Putin International Prize is designed to congratulate, distinguish and pay tribute to real leaders who have understood the need to diversify partnerships, as well as to thank President Vladimir Putin for his commitment to the liberation of Africa,” according to the founder of the public organization, pan-Africanist Mahamadi Savadogo.
From 2024, the Prize will be awarded to African leaders pursuing independent policies, Savadogo says.
The Putin Award ceremony was held on 28 December this year in Ouagadougou at the memorial of the famous Ivorian independence fighter Thomas Sankara, called “Africa’s Che Guevara.”
In addition, on 28 December, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the Russian embassy will be reopened in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, 31 years after its closure. The statement said the reopening of the Russian diplomatic mission should further strengthen relations of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
