Telebridge platforms were established in Moscow at the webinar studio of the Faculty of Global Processes, MSU; in Senegal at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor; and in Burkina Faso. Additionally, experts from other African countries and Russia connected remotely.

The telebridge saw participation from representatives of state authorities, the military sector, diplomatic and academic communities, business circles, cultural spheres, and civil society institutions from the African countries of the Sahel region and Russia.

Discussions during the telebridge covered topics related to Africa's current integration potential, socio-political cooperation between Russia and African countries, personnel training, and priority areas for Russia-Sahel region interaction in the security domain.

Experts from Russia and African countries shared experiences in the patriotic education of youth, provided examples from the heroic pages of the military and political history of the Russian and African peoples, and put forward proposals for developing projects in peace journalism and public diplomacy.

The telebridge was opened by Alexander F. Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club of MSU. He conveyed greetings from the Club's Honorary President, Rector of MSU Viktor A. Sadovnichy, and the First Vice-President of the Club, Dean of the Faculty of Global Processes of MSU Ilya V. Ilyin.

Participants were welcomed by Mr. Sempore Vital Placide, Cultural and Educational Attaché at the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Russia. He expressed gratitude to Moscow University, represented by the Faculty of Global Processes, for its consistent interest in educational processes in African countries, its desire to develop cooperation, and its support for educational institutions in Africa.

Babacar Dieng, head of the Senegalese students' association in Russia, also greeted the telebridge participants. He thanked the Russian academic community for its contribution to strengthening educational ties with African countries, stating that a priority area of such cooperation is the training of qualified personnel.

During the plenary part, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed live between the Faculty of Global Processes of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Assane Seck University (Ziguinchor, Senegal), and the Russian-African Club of Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The telebridge's work began from the Senegalese platform, moderated by Professor Diene Ngom, Vice-Rector for Research, Cooperation, and Professional Relations at Assane Seck University and an alumnus of a university in St. Petersburg. He thanked his Russian colleagues for the initiative to sign the Memorandum of Cooperation, emphasizing that this event would be a new step in strengthening ties not only between the universities but also between the academic communities of Senegal and Russia as a whole.

Professor Faye Bouna expressed hope that the signing of the Memorandum would pave the way for similar agreements with other higher education institutions in Senegal.

Another speaker, Professor Paul Diédhiou, argued that his country's future should be closely linked with Russia, as the active presence of Western countries in Senegal has brought nothing but disappointment. He cited the bloody conflict in Casamance in 1982, the consequences of which are still felt in Senegal.

Professor Camara, responsible for international activities at Assane Seck University, presented an overview of his university, which has over 10,000 students across its faculties.

The second platform, in Burkina Faso, was moderated by Daniel Sawadogo, former Cultural and Educational Attaché at the Embassy of Burkina Faso in the Russian Federation and head of the Russian-African Club MSU branch in the country. He expressed immense gratitude to Russia for its invaluable help in the fight against terrorist groups threatening the republic's sovereignty.

Christian Ouedraogo, President of the CAARB Russia-Burkina Friendship and Business Club, spoke about socio-political cooperation between Russia and Burkina Faso, expressing hope that these ties would strengthen.

Professor Zekiba Tarnagda, a graduate of a Russian university, highlighted three main areas of cooperation: military-political, socio-economic, and educational cooperation. He cited examples of USSR and Russia graduates who have achieved great success in their homelands.

Professor Ouedraogo Laïa Ibrahim noted the optimism with which African countries view the efforts of the Russian leadership and President Vladimir Putin in the patriotic education of youth, expressing confidence that Russia's experience would positively influence the upbringing of the younger generation in Africa.

Experts Sawadogo Mahamadi and Bationo Hassane stressed the critical importance of security cooperation, stating that Russia's help in fighting terrorism is crucial for the Sahel countries defending their independence and sovereignty.

Public figure and primary education inspector Yakouba Traore proudly noted that since leaving ECOWAS, Burkina Faso independently finances many educational, social, and humanitarian projects.

Aliou Toukara, a member of the Malian parliament and director of the Russian House in Bamako, emphasized the importance of interaction between Sahel countries and Russia, noting the long historical ties between the USSR and Africa.

Professor Demba Diabate from Mali expressed the view that Africa is unjustly relegated to the role of a raw material supplier for the West, and partnership with Russia offers opportunities for technological and strategic development.

Sergey N. Chesnokov, President of the ANO "Mir," stressed the importance of strengthening humanitarian and educational ties and the need for systematic training of specialists for joint projects.

Professor Mohamed Koursi from Algeria, a journalist, highlighted the need to abandon colonial thinking in media and emphasized the task of peace journalism to create a positive image of Africa while not ignoring humanitarian crises.

Captain Samuel-Pedrito Bissioer Mbile, Military Attaché at the Embassy of Cameroon in Russia, called for attentive listening to Africans' aspirations, stating that the continent needs strong allies like Russia to overcome colonial pressure.

Ahmad Bahit, Press Secretary of the Russian House in the Republic of Chad, presented on the development of relations between Russia and Chad, noting Chad's strategic location and Russia's role as a key arms supplier.

Professor Gogli Teté D. Zakaria from Togo emphasized that the Sahel region should be perceived more broadly, and Russia's presence across the entire African continent needs strengthening.

Basi Hafiz, a representative of Sudan and Chairman of the Youth Commission of the Russian-African Club, noted that studying in Russia is a unique chance to gain professional knowledge and absorb the country's cultural code.

Louis Gouend, Chairman of the Club's Commission for Relations with African Diasporas and Media, stressed the importance of the signed Memorandum, expressing confidence that this work is a long-term investment.

Ilya L. Shershnev, Club Program Director and President of the Fund of Public Diplomacy, discussed the ongoing work on a textbook for "Public Diplomacy and Peace Journalism," inviting African colleagues to share their ideas.

Concluding the telebridge, Executive Secretary Alexander F. Berdnikov noted that the event is seen as a contribution to the preparation of the Third Russia-Africa Summit, set to take place on the African continent this year.

Link to photo and video materials on Yandex Disk: https://disk.yandex.ru/d/VOUwMOOcAuuoag  

Photos from the Senegal platform are below: