The leader of Libya's Presidential Council, Mohamed Menfi, received a congratulatory message from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on the occasion of Africa Day, which “marks a historic turning point in the continent’s peoples’ journey toward liberation and freedom from colonialism, and the consolidation of the values of freedom, peace, development, and prosperity,” according to a statement released by the Presidential Council’s media office on Monday.

The media office stated that Putin affirmed in his message to Menfi his confidence that the Third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to be held in Moscow next October, “will serve as an important platform for opening new horizons for the development of mutually beneficial partnership and cooperation between Russia and African countries, serving common interests and enhancing opportunities for development and stability in various fields.”

Earlier today, Menfi affirmed Libya’s pride in its African identity, noting its pioneering role in the founding of the African Union through the Sirte Declaration in 1999.

He wrote on his X account, “On Africa Day, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963, we reaffirm Libya’s pride in its African identity and its constant commitment to strengthening cooperation and integration among the continent’s nations for the sake of peace and development.”

Africa Day is celebrated on May 25 of each year, marking the anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (now known as the African Union) on May 25, 1963. This historic day symbolizes the struggle of the peoples of the African continent for freedom, independence, and economic and developmental integration.