Visiting delegations received ceremonial welcomes ahead of meetings with President Vladimir Putin and engagements with businesses and diaspora communities
African leaders and senior delegations continue to arrive in Moscow ahead of the third Russia-Africa summit, with the presidents of Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and South Sudan among the latest arrivals.
READ MORE: Putin to host 22 African leaders in Moscow
Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo traveled with First Lady Constancia Mangue and reached Moscow on Monday.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir also landed that day, receiving a welcome from Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko. Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is also in the capital.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who arrived on Sunday, was offered ceremonial tea, bread, and salt in a traditional Russian welcome. He said his delegation would seek “tangible benefits,” including expanded industrial trade and jobs for young people.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo is also in Moscow, where he met members of the Mozambican community on Monday. He pledged stronger support for students in Russia, including help with renewing documents and transferring funds, and plans to assign a dedicated official to assist them at Mozambique’s embassy.
Mali’s transitional president, Assimi Goita, received an official airport welcome on Monday before joining officials and members of the Malian diaspora at his residence. His visit includes talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mali’s government said in a statement.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama flew in from Ethiopia on Monday and was met by Russian officials and Ghana’s ambassador. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) on Tuesday, with a second to be conferred by the Russian University of Transport.
Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo was received at Domodedovo Airport by Russian Foreign Ministry official Anatoly Bashkin and Uganda’s ambassador. Representing President Yoweri Museveni, she highlighted cooperation in agro-industrialization, technology transfer, trade, and tourism.
Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb and his Burkinabe counterpart, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, have also arrived.
Moscow is also hosting the eighth Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit on Tuesday, with African delegations participating. Speaking to reporters at the forum’s ministerial meeting on Monday, Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev said Moscow was promoting a gas bank to provide long-term financing for gas infrastructure in Africa and other regions.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on Monday that delegations from 48 African countries, including 22 represented by heads of state, had confirmed participation in the October 28-29 Russia-Africa summit. Putin and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the African Union chair, will co-chair the gathering.