Ahmed Salem

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, kicking off an African tour.

During a meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Lavrov stressed the need to increase African participation at the international level.

He said, “We fully support what you have said regarding the significant enhancement of Africa's role in the global decision-making system, including, of course, African representation in the UN Security Council, which needs reform through expanded participation for Africa, Asia, and Latin America.”.

The Russian Foreign Minister added: Former colonial powers are still benefiting from Africa's natural resources.

Commenting on plans to increase military production in Europe, he said that countries ready to wage direct war with Russia might emerge. He added, “Right now, they claim they are not at war with us. This is a deception.”.

According to the official Russian news agency, Lavrov will also discuss the construction of a large-scale nuclear power plant in Ethiopia, while Russia has not announced other countries Lavrov will visit.

Lavrov meets with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission

In a related context, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, and his accompanying delegation, as part of the annual high-level consultations between the African Union and Russia at the Union's headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The consultations confirmed the growing partnership between Africa and Russia, based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and common interests.

Discussions between the two sides focused on expanding cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, infrastructure, energy, technology, food security, public health, and manufacturing, in support of “Agenda 2063” and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Chairperson of.

The two sides also exchanged views on peace and security issues, Africa-led solutions to conflicts, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, Security Council reform in line with the “Ezulwini Consensus,” and the promotion of multilateral cooperation.

Lavrov confirms Russia's support for the existence of the UN Security Council

Minister Lavrov reaffirmed Russia's support for a more representative and equitable Security Council, including ensuring permanent representation for Africa.

He praised Africa's economic progress, supporting the Chairperson's call to enhance the added value of African agricultural products and mineral resources. He also reiterated Russia's support for strengthening the institutional framework of the African Union, including the African Humanitarian Agency and the African Medicines Agency.

Both the Chairperson of the Commission and Minister Lavrov reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the African Union and Russia, and to working towards the successful preparation of the third Russia-Africa Summit scheduled to be held in October this year.