Africa has "the duty of remembrance" to draw lessons from its past, otherwise the continent may repeat the pain of history, said Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.
While in China for the "Summer Davos" Annual Meeting of the New Champions, Sonko stressed the central role of history in Senegalese society under his leadership in an interview with China Media Group (CMG) released on Friday.
"Since taking office, the current Senegalese government has always stressed the importance of remembering history. A country without historical memory is one that cannot learn from the past and risks repeating the suffering of its own history," he said.
The prime minister urged a greater focus on the "duty of remembrance" to break the cycle of historical trauma.
"We have always insisted on the duty of remembrance, because our African forefathers suffered multiple times: first from the slave trade, then colonization, and later neo-colonialism. But perhaps the greatest injustice they suffered was the attempt to erase their history. It was as if they were stripped of their rights and denied the space to tell their own story. Africans rarely speak about the slave trade, even though other peoples with similar pasts have long integrated such experiences into their collective memory -- and in some cases, have even demanded reparations. But in Africa, it remains almost a taboo subject," he said
"As for colonization, the silence is similar, and people rarely talk about it publicly. Even until very recently -- and even today, as I speak -- in many African countries that were colonized, you still find streets and boulevards named after generals who colonized us, who fought our ancestors, who killed, enslaved, imposed forced labor, and sent our people to fight wars on their behalf. Even today, these traces remain embedded in our cities. That is why, when I was elected mayor of Ziguinchor, the very first thing I did was to rename all the streets that still bore the names of former colonizers," Sonko added.
Africa has duty to remember history: Senegalese PM
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
