The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) has been bestowed with the name of Patrice Lumumba, one of Africa’s most iconic political heroes.
Lumumba was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 1960, who became a continental symbol of African peoples’ struggle for independence.
The announcement was made last week by the Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
In a statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said this decision results from the joint efforts supported by the leadership of the Russian Federation and the public both in Russia and all over the world, including the African diplomatic corps in Moscow and RUDN alumni.
“Restoring to the RUDN University its historical name is yet another sign of Russia attaching special importance to Africa in its foreign policy and a token of its firm determination to facilitate the emergence of a new and just system of international relations free from colonialism and neo-colonialism.
“We are confident that this symbolic event, which takes place in the run-up to the second Russia-Africa Summit, will promote the further strengthening of the traditionally friendly ties between Russia and African nations,” said the Ministry.
The RUDN University was founded in 1960. It bore the name of Patrice Lumumba from 1961 until 1992 when it was renamed the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.
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