Russia and African Union to Expand Strategic Partnership, Prepare New Three-Year Action Plan

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia and the African Union have agreed to expand cooperation in peace and security, reform of international governance, food security, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, trade and investment while building a long-term and institutionalised partnership.

The commitment was outlined in a joint statement issued following high-level consultations between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf at the commission’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 7.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and non-interference in internal affairs.

According to the joint statement, the consultations included an open and constructive exchange of views on the changing global geopolitical environment, the state of multilateral cooperation, reform of international governance, and peace and security challenges affecting Africa and the wider world.

The two sides said the historical relationship between Africa and Russia was founded on solidarity, mutual respect, sovereign equality, non-interference in domestic affairs and shared aspirations for peace, development and prosperity.

New Action Plan for 2027–2029

Russia and the African Union reviewed progress in implementing the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding on the Basic Principles of Relations and Cooperation, the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2023–2026 and the Russia-African Union Commission Action Plan for the same period.

They agreed to move forward with preparations for a new three-year action plan covering 2027–2029. The plan is expected to identify existing gaps and expand structured and results-oriented cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Both sides also agreed to accelerate preparations for the Third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to be held in Moscow on October 28 and 29, 2026.

They expressed confidence that the summit would provide new momentum to Russia-Africa relations and strengthen the political foundation for implementing shared priorities.

Support for “African Solutions to African Problems”

The consultations addressed peace and security developments in the Sahel, the Great Lakes region, the Horn of Africa, Sudan, South Sudan and Libya.

Foreign Minister Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for African-led and African-owned approaches to conflict prevention, mediation, peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction and development.

Russia said it would continue supporting African states and institutions in accordance with the principle of “African solutions to African problems.”

Both sides stressed the need for enhanced and sustained international support for African peace initiatives and institutions.

They also emphasised the importance of predictable, adequate and sustainable financing for African Union-led peace-support operations authorised by the United Nations Security Council.

In this context, they called for the timely and effective implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 and for stronger continental leadership in addressing Africa’s peace and security challenges.

Support for Greater African Representation at the Security Council

Russia and the African Union agreed to strengthen coordination between Moscow and the African Group of Three, known as the A3, which represents the three elected African members of the UN Security Council.

Both sides called for strict adherence to international law and the UN Charter as the foundation of international relations. They placed particular emphasis on the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the sovereign equality of states.

Russia reaffirmed its support for correcting the historical injustice against Africa in the composition of the UN Security Council and ensuring fair representation for the continent.

Moscow said Security Council reform should reflect the African common position contained in the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, including meaningful African participation in global decision-making.

The African Union has also stated that Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for permanent African representation on the Security Council.

Call for Reform of the International Financial System

Russia and the African Union called for a more inclusive, fair, transparent, development-oriented and politically neutral international financial system that reflects the needs and realities of developing countries, particularly African states.

Both sides expressed concern over the unequal debt burden facing African countries, the high cost of capital, limited access to concessional financing and vulnerability to external economic shocks.

They called for measures to improve debt sustainability, expand affordable long-term financing, strengthen African representation and voting power in international financial institutions, and reform global financial mechanisms in support of sustainable development.

The two sides also stressed the need to expand the lending capacity of multilateral development banks and increase investment in projects in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

They said development financing should be mobilised from a wider range of sources, including the use of national currencies where appropriate.

Uninterrupted Supply of Food and Fertilisers

Russia and the African Union expressed concern over global food-security challenges and their impact on African countries.

They stressed the need to maintain the uninterrupted supply of food, fertilisers and agricultural inputs to African markets.

The two sides agreed to promote agricultural cooperation, increase food production, strengthen resilience against climate and economic shocks, and support efforts to achieve sustainable food security across the continent.

Health Cooperation and Ebola Response

Russia and the African Union expressed serious concern over Ebola outbreaks declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, as well as the risk of wider transmission within and beyond Africa.

They agreed to explore cooperation with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in emergency-response coordination, epidemic surveillance, laboratory systems, scientific research, preparedness and public-health capacity building.

The African Union Commission welcomed Russian assistance in humanitarian affairs, healthcare, education, food security and capacity development.

Energy, Infrastructure and Industrialisation

In the fields of energy and infrastructure, both sides agreed to explore cooperation in projects linked to the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, electricity access, industrial development, transport connectivity and technology.

They also agreed to align future partnership programmes with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area and the continent’s wider industrial and economic transformation.

Russia expressed support for the African Union’s objective of processing agricultural and mineral products within the continent rather than exporting them mainly as raw materials.

Both sides called for closer direct contact among African and Russian government agencies, private companies and business organisations to expand mutually beneficial trade and investment.

Annual High-Level Consultations

Russia and the African Union Commission agreed to establish sectoral dialogue and expert-level consultations to provide the partnership with a more permanent institutional structure.

Relevant ministries, agencies and organisations will be encouraged to continue consultations and implement the decisions reached during the latest meeting.

Both sides decided to hold high-level political consultations at least once a year to create a long-term and predictable framework for cooperation.

The next round of high-level consultations will take place in 2027 at a date and venue to be agreed by both sides.

The joint statement provides a broad framework for further institutionalising Russia-African Union relations through annual dialogue, a new action plan and the forthcoming Moscow summit, with cooperation extending from peace and security to trade, health, energy, infrastructure and international financial reform.