Russia and African island nation discuss strengthening ties

Moscow’s embassy in Sao Tome and Principe says officials from both countries have met for talks focused on areas of mutual interest

Russia and Sao Tome and Principe have discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas including military affairs and agriculture, the Russian Embassy in the Central African island nation has reported.

The two countries signed an agreement in St. Petersburg last year that the Kremlin says is intended to establish long-term military cooperation, covering areas such as joint training and counterterrorism. The deal is set to remain in force indefinitely.

On Wednesday, the Russian ambassador to Angola and Sao Tome and Principe, Vladimir Tararov, met with Sao Tomean Prime Minister Americo Ramos for talks which, according to the embassy, focused on “current topics of bilateral cooperation of mutual interest.”

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Tararov said the talks had covered cooperation in agriculture and the military-technical fields, as well as research on biodiversity and marine resources.

READ MORE: Russia set to gain access to Atlantic port – media

“We found an understanding regarding the entry of our [Russian] training ship,” the diplomat said, according to the African state’s official news agency, STP-Press. The vessel is expected to host “a protocol event” to mark Sao Tome’s 50th independence anniversary on July 12, as well as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, to be celebrated on August 9, the envoy added.

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In May, the Africa Confidential news outlet reported that authorities in Sao Tome had ratified last year’s agreement granting Russia access to the country’s naval port on the Atlantic Ocean. Under the April 2024 pact, the two sides will also exchange information and expertise in military education, cooperate on engineering support for troops, and work together to combat piracy and terrorism, as well as provide military logistical support.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said last November at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi that African nations are increasingly turning to Moscow for security assistance. Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – countries grappling with over a decade of deadly jihadist insurgency – have severed defense ties with France and looked to Russia for security cooperation to address instability in the Sahel. The three nations have accused their former colonial power of prolonging the crisis under the pretext of counterterrorism.