After two days of discussions and debates in Saint Petersburg, the Russia-Africa Summit will finally have allowed the adoption of some resolutions. The declaration was made in front of a crowd of local and African journalists, who came from all over the continent, by the Russian presidents, Vladimir Putin, and the Comorian, also president of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani. « The representatives of African states have shown political will, demonstrated their independence and their real interest in developing cooperation with our country, » said Vladimir Putin.

The final declaration was therefore an opportunity for the two parties to return to the concerns of African countries, which revolve around several axes such as industrial development, medicine, technology, education and the training of African youth, not to mention human capital.                                                  Finally, the joint declaration provides for increased cooperation in the areas of food supply, energy and development aid. At the opening of the summit, the Russian President had already promised to deliver free cereals to six African countries in the coming months.

As far as health is concerned, Russia has allocated a budget of over 1.2 billion roubles until 2026.

On the economic front, « there is also talk of systematically switching to national currencies, including the rouble, in the financial settlement of trade transactions between Russia and Africa », he said.

Africa as mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine

The issue of resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could not be ignored. On this subject, the current Chairman of the African Union (AU) revealed the role of mediator that African countries intend to play to bring an end to this crisis that continues to shake the world. It is a role that the African heads of state will continue to assume, having noted and welcomed the Russian President’s readiness to help resolve the conflict with Ukraine. « A war should not last long. When it lasts a long time, it becomes even more difficult to manage.

Also, in a war, there can be no winner. We thank President Vladimir Putin, who has shown his willingness to find a solution to this crisis. I must therefore say that this summit was a great success », noted the AU President, who promised to continue to work with his peers towards a definitive resolution of this war.

The two sides also agreed to hold a Russia-Africa summit every three years, with a follow-up committee to discuss security issues and the fight against terrorism and climate change. In addition, the African and Russian presidents were due to continue their discussions yesterday evening, in order to better harmonise the angles for a better application of the resolutions adopted at the St Petersburg summit.