Lavrov: Increasing Africa's role in Russian foreign policy

Today, during a visit to Uganda, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Africa’s role in Russian foreign policy is increasing while contacts with the West are declining.

“The role of the African continent in our foreign policy will increase and it will do so significantly. This will happen regardless of what happens in relations with the West,” Lavrov said at a joint press conference with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The head of Russian diplomacy, who arrived in Uganda from the Congo, as quoted by RIA Nóvosti, emphasized that the role of Africa is increasing due to the long-term and non-cyclical interests that Russia has in this region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also highlighted an increase in Russian contacts with African countries in recent months, which has led to a 34% increase in bilateral trade with the continent.

“We are in a new stage of development and we attach great importance to our relations with African countries,” the Kremlin chief said.

Senegal’s head of state and current chair of the African Union, Macky Sall, called last month for Western countries to lift sanctions that prevent the export of Russian wheat and fertilizers, after his meeting with Putin to address the effects of the Russian campaign in Ukraine. for Africa.

Last week, the African Union welcomed the agreement between Russia and Ukraine to allow the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports and again called for an “immediate ceasefire”.