The Ministry of Foreign Affairs supported the idea of ​​returning RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was enthusiastic about the discussion on the return of the name of the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and one of the symbols of the victory of the national liberation movement of the peoples of Africa, Patrice Lumumba, to RUDN University, reported Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Zakharova’s commentary on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of RUDN University was published on the department’s website on Sunday.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry has received with great enthusiasm the information about the wide discussion that has unfolded in society on the issue of returning the name of the world-famous fighter for the freedom and independence of the states of the African continent, the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba,” the statement says.

According to Zakharova, the initiative was supported by the heads of African diplomatic missions accredited in Russia, they see it as a restoration of historical justice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received similar appeals from the communities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa and other African countries. The return of the Lumumba University “will give an additional impetus” to the development of friendly ties with Russia’s partners in Africa, the department believes.

Zakharova also noted that RUDN University was established at a “critical historical period for world transformations”, when the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America were overcoming the consequences of colonialism, and many of them turned to Moscow for support.

The University of Peoples’ Friendship was named after Patrice Lumumba on February 22, 1961. On February 5, 1992, by order of the Government of the Russian Federation, the educational institution was renamed the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.