✍️ JOINT STATEMENT Russian Federation – African Union High-Level Consultation (Addis Ababa, July 7, 2026)

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1. On July 7, 2026, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, conducted high-level consultations at the Headquarters of the African Union Commission (#AUC) in Addis Ababa, aimed at reviewing the state of cooperation between the African Union and Russia and exploring avenues for further strengthening their partnership.

The consultations provided an opportunity for an open and constructive exchange of views on international and regional developments, including the evolving global geopolitical landscape, the state of multilateral cooperation, global governance reform, and peace and security challenges affecting Africa and the world.
 
Africa – Russia Partnership

2. The Sides reaffirmed the longstanding historical ties between Africa and Russia, founded on solidarity, mutual respect, sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and shared aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.

3. The Sides reviewed progress made in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Russian Federation and the African Union on Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation, signed by both Sides on October 24, 2019, as well as the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan 2023-2026 and Russia-AU Commission Action Plan 2023-2026, with a view to adopt a new action plan for the next three-year period of 2027-2029, identify and address existing gaps and further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including in the lead up to the upcoming Third Russia – Africa Summit, scheduled on 28-29 October 2026, in Moscow.

Political Affairs, Peace and Security

4. The Sides exchanged views on global geopolitical and regional issues, and while stressing the primacy of dialogue, diplomacy and political solutions in addressing international disputes and crises, they reaffirmed their commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability across Africa and globally.

5. The Sides discussed peace and security developments across the African continent, including the situations in the Sahel region, the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, South Sudan and Libya.

Russia's Foreign Minister reiterated his country's support for African-led and African-owned approaches to conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction and development, in line with the principle of "African Solutions to African Problems". Both Sides highlighted the need for enhanced and sustained international support for African peace initiatives and institutions.

8. The Sides call for strict adherence to international law and the UN Charter in its entirety as the bedrock of international relations to maintain peace, resolve disputes peacefully and uphold sovereign equality.

9. The Sides highlighted the significance of the African Union theme of the 2026-2035 decade: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”.

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Institutionalization of dialogue between the AU Commission and Russia

17. The Sides welcomed ongoing preparations for the forthcoming Third Russia-Africa Summit on 28-29 October 2026, in Moscow, and expressed confidence that the Summit would provide renewed impetus to Africa-Russia relations and contribute to advancing common priorities.

21. The Sides agreed to conduct regular high-level political consultations (at least once a year) in order to establish a long-term, predictable framework for cooperation between Russia and the African Union.

🤝 In this regard, both Sides agreed to holding the next high-level consultations in 2027, at a mutually agreed date and venue.

- Multilateralism and reform of international governance and financial architectures
- Food Security
- Health cooperation and response to the Ebola outbreak
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Economic Development, Trade and Investment

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