Moscow and Beijing offer African nations an alternative to Western "coercion" and pressure, Themba Godi has told RT

The joint Russia-China declaration opposing any hegemony is "music" for many Africans seeking greater political and economic independence from the West, former South African MP and African People's Convention President Themba Godi has told RT. 

His comments came after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, after which the two nations signed 42 agreements and joint documents.

READ MORE: Putin's China visit: Key moments and results in VIDEOS

Putin and Xi released a joint statement stressing that "there is no universal path of development in the world and there are no 'first-class' countries and peoples ... hegemony and coercive policies in any of their manifestations are unacceptable."

"That declaration, it's music to our ears in Africa," Godi said, arguing that many countries on the continent have historically experienced external pressure and attempts to impose foreign political models.

Moscow and Beijing are helping African nations expand economic cooperation, strengthen infrastructure, and resist continued political "coercion" from the West, the politician stressed.

"We've seen how China and Russia have positively impacted the prospects of Africa's development," he said.

Godi argued that China and Russia increasingly represent an alternative model of international relations for African countries seeking greater sovereignty.

"China and Russia are the two key alternatives from the West that we [Africa] have had," he said.

Investigative journalist Modibe Modiba told RT that many African countries are turning toward closer cooperation with Russia and China.

Western powers never saw Africans as equal partners, Modiba noted, accusing the US of exploiting the continent's resources. "They've been behind many coups around the African continent," he added. According to the journalist, Africa now wants partnerships based on equality rather than dependence on foreign assistance.

Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg, Siphamandla Zondi, said China's decision to extend zero-tariff access to African countries offers the continent an alternative to Western trade policies.

READ MORE: US shuts, China opens: Where did the trade war move?

Speaking to RT, Zondi noted China gives African nations "options to look at" instead of being "forced into bad agreements" by Western powers.