Gabonese student François Ndzhelassili has become the symbol of the racist violence to which many Africans are victims in Russia. Aged 32 and a doctoral student at the Ural Federal University, he was fatally stabbed on August 18 in front of a fast-food restaurant in the city of Yekaterinburg.
François Ndzhelassili was known for his involvement within the African student community at his university. President of the African Students Association, he also gave French and economics courses. He was appreciated by his classmates and was considered an example of success for foreign students.
On the day of his death, François Ndzhelassili was in downtown Yekaterinburg with a Russian friend. Two Russian individuals began to question him, uttering racist insults against him. Despite his attempts to reason with his attackers, the situation quickly degenerated. A third individual, present since the start of the altercation, stabbed François Ndzhelassili between the ribs, with racist words in his mouth.
This tragedy highlighted the daily racism suffered by Africans in Russia. A friend of the victim, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, explained that he had received death threats after denouncing the crime. He considered it necessary to testify in order to raise public awareness of this reality.
Since the death of François Ndzhelassili, the victim’s friend has devoted his efforts to denouncing racism and publicizing this tragic incident. He contacted university authorities to inform them of the situation, but was discouraged from speaking publicly about the matter. Despite the racist messages and threats he has received, he remains determined to make his voice heard and protect the African student community in Russia.
This tragic event highlights the need to fight racism and racist violence throughout the world. It is essential that institutions, both academic and government, realize the magnitude of this problem and take steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their origin or skin color.
The death of François Ndzhelassili should not be seen as an isolated incident, but as the manifestation of a broader problem of racial discrimination in Russia. It is time for concrete actions to be taken to combat these acts of hatred and to promote diversity and inclusion in Russian society. We must all stand up against racism and work together to create a world where every individual is respected and valued, regardless of race or ethnicity.