The Russian Military Historical Society, with the support of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Moscow government, has created a monument in honor of South Africa's first president, Nelson Mandela, who became known worldwide for his fight against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

The monument, a statue representing one of the world's leading humanitarian leaders, was erected in the square named after Nelson Mandela.

Irina Abramova, the Director of the Institute of African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that the act symbolizes the beginning of new historical relations between the African and Russian peoples.

"We increasingly understand and realize that Africa is becoming a strategic partner for Russia, because we have common tasks, common goals of creating a freer, more just and merciful world," she said, quoted by the Sputnik.